| 释义 |
▪ I. strengthening, vbl. n.|ˈstrɛŋθ(ə)nɪŋ|
[-ing1.]
1. The action of the vb. strengthen, in various senses; an instance of this.
1535Coverdale 1 Macc. vi. 18 They..sought euer styll to do them harme, for the strengthenynge of the Heithen. c1595Capt. Wyatt Dudley's Voy. (Hakl. Soc.) 32 This letter..gave..better respect unto themselves for the strengthninge of our fortification. 1660Fuller Mixt Contempl. Better T. ii. l. 74 Charles the Second..when a Childe was much troubled with a weaknesse in his Legs, and was appointed to weare Steel-bootes, for the strengthning of them. 1723Chambers tr. Le Clerc's Archit. I. 23 The greater Solidity, and the further strengthning of the Building. 1870J. F. Smith Ewald's Introd. Hebr. Gram. 162 A peculiar strengthening of the two preceding moods is attained by suffixing [etc.]. 1882Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework 307 Strengthening..is done by working doubled threads into the heels or toes of stockings.
2. concr. Something that strengthens, a source or means of strength.
1583Golding Calvin on Deut. ii. 10 Is not y⊇ knowledg of such doctrine an excellent strengthening to vs, when we see that [etc.]? c1613Middleton No Wit like Woman's ii. iii. 141 Out flies your moneys for restoratives and strengthenings. 1663Gerbier Counsel 44 The peeres of Brick or Stone..will..be of a fit width to be a strengthening to the building. 1773J. Hawkesworth Cook's 1st Voy. ii. x. III. 462 Thwarts..were securely lashed on each side, as a strengthening to the boat. 1879Cassell's Techn. Educ. III. 151/1 Such supplementary strengthenings..are, however, not nearly so much required in iron as in wood ships.
▪ II. strengthening, ppl. a.|ˈstrɛŋθ(ə)nɪŋ|
[-ing2.]
1. That strengthens or makes stronger.
1646P. Bulkeley Gospel Covt. iv. 317 Faith is a strengthening grace. 1660F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 74 They use themselves to very violent exercises,..feeding on strengthning foods onely. 1786J. Hunter Treat. Venereal Dis. vi. iv. (1810) 563 In such cases I would recommend strengthening diet, and strengthening medicines. 1842Loudon Suburban Hort. 633 Such a wall..may be made..with stakes to serve as strengthening piers. 1848J. T. White Xenophon's Anab. ii. iii. §18 notes (1872) 111 Observe here the strengthening force of καί. It is often employed in this way, when something stronger is subjoined to what had just preceded, and answers to the English and..too.
b. Card-games. Of a card or course of play: That strengthens one's hand.
1862‘Cavendish’ Whist (1864) 34 When you have led a strengthening card, and it wins the trick. 1864W. Pole Th. Whist (1870) 18 Strengthening play is getting rid of high cards in any suit, the effect of which is to give an improved value to the lower cards of that suit still remaining in, and so to strengthen the hand that holds them. 1900J. Doe Bridge Man. 73 In leading what you may be pleased to consider a strengthening card, you are opening the very suit which your adversaries are secretly praying that they may be able to establish.
2. That grows or becomes stronger.
1855Lynch Rivulet xlv. i, All the marvels have begun That wait upon the strengthening sun. 1906M. Sellers Eastland Co. (Camden) Introd. 76 The manifestation of a slowly strengthening feeling in favour of a policy of less general restriction. |