ˈstreŋ(k)th, ˈstren(t)th noun
( plural strengths -ths, ˈstreŋks)
Etymology: Middle English strengthe, strenthe, from Old English strengthu; akin to Old High German strengida strength, strengi strong — more at strong
1.
a. : moral courage
strength to surmount the horrors and humiliations of … defeat — Patrick O'Donovan
the inner strength of self-restraint — A.E.Stevenson †1965
b. : physical force or vigor : brawn , vitality
the lion's natural weapons … strength and cunning — James Stevenson-Hamilton
as the day went on, her strength lessened — Millen Brand
c.
(1) : ability to produce an effect : influence
the strength of his personal prestige — A.L.Funk
a policy based on peace through strength — R.M.Makins
(2) : a quality of flour that determines the volume and texture of the loaf and depends on the amount and kind of protein present
(3) : energy content
testing the strength of a new high explosive
d. archaic : healthy condition : productiveness — used of soil
westwardly … the soil again improves in strength — Charles Vancouver
2.
a.
(1) : a source of power or influence
the magnificent sense of history and tradition which is one of the strengths of the Roman Catholic Church — Newsweek
(2) : a strong attribute or inherent asset
make it clear what you consider are the strengths and weaknesses of the book — Raymond Walters b. 1912
children … exhibit special gifts and strengths relatively early — Gertrude H. Hildreth
it was Napoleon's strength neither to admit defeat nor to be trapped by stubborn adherence to a ruinous course — Oscar Handlin
b. archaic : a secure retreat : fortress , stronghold
all the forts and strengths of the realm — Robert Barret
c.
(1) : a strong position
negotiate from strength
(2) obsolete : a protective barrier : embankment , fortification
3.
a. : military might
made it easier for power-seeking nations to build strength for the second world war — T.F.Hawkins
b. obsolete
(1) : military forces
(2) : a fighting force
c. archaic : ability to withstand assault
castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn — Shakespeare
d. : ability to withstand stress or deformation : the quality of bodies by which they endure the application of force without breaking : toughness , cohesion
the strength of igneous rocks
the rubber does not attain full strength until vulcanization is complete — Dun's Review
— compare breaking strength , compressive strength , fatigue strength , tensile strength
e.
(1) : the number of personnel or units on a military muster roll
the struggle … was terrific, costing each side about one third of its strength — American Guide Series: Tennessee
Commonwealth has a powerful strength of naval bases around the world — Quentin Reynolds
(2) : the authorized complement of a military unit
suggested that we bring the regiment up to strength with carefully certified officers — Oliver La Farge
sufficiently valuable assistants to be put on the strength — Manchester Guardian Weekly
(3) : large numbers
forces landed in strength in three places — Infantry Journal
f. : the number of personnel on a roster of any kind
an employed strength of 70,000 — Country Life
g. archaic : a sufficient number
without … their crews he had no longer strength enough to navigate the ship — George Anson
h. : available means of support : reserves that can be mobilized at will : resources
economic and industrial … strengths of the Communist and anti-Communist blocs — New York Times
4.
a.
(1) : velocity or amount of flow : relative quantity or degree : intensity , volume
strength of the wind
the strength and direction of sea currents vary considerably at different times of the year — W.H.Dowdeswell
it is not sufficient to know merely the overall strength of a noise — S.S.Stevens
(2) : the phase of a tidal current when its velocity is greatest ; also : the velocity at that time
b. : fervor or predominant inclination : profoundness , vehemence — used of a mental or emotional attitude
strength of conviction
the overwhelming strength of British opinion — A.P.Ryan
c. : degree of coloration or dilution : gradation , potency
each part of the engraving should print at its exact strength — John Southward
strengths are given as percentages of alcohol by volume — O.A.Mendelsohn
d. : degree of ionization in solution — used of acids and bases; compare acidity 1a, basicity 1
e. : vigor of demand : rising tendency in prices
strength in consumer buying
stock markets were displaying remarkable drive and strength — London Financial Times
5.
a. obsolete : legal backing : authority
thou hast the strength of laws — Shakespeare
b. : the true facts or general significance : gist , tenor
intent to have an explanation … and I'll get the strength of matters soon enough — Rex Ingamells
c. : degree of importance or credibility : soundness , weight
strength of an argument
strength of legal evidence
d. : basis — used in the phrase on the strength of
a fussy housewife scalding the entire pantry on the strength of one ant in the cookie jar — H.L.Davis
new sawmills were established on the strength of anticipated canal trade — American Guide Series: Ind.
6. : force of expression or treatment : clarity of definition
it was this titan's spirit which gave such drive and strength to the mightiest of his plays — John Mason Brown
the film finds pictorial strength in its fine blending of bare reality and shattering glitter — Cecile Starr
the building masses are … well related, endowing the structure with a silhouette of great strength — American Guide Series: New York City
Synonyms: see power
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- from strength to strength