strengthenv.
/ˈstrɛŋ(k)θn/, U.S. /ˈstrɛŋ(k)θ(ə)n/ To make or become strong or stronger.
1. transitive. Originally: to give defensive strength to (a town, etc.), to make strong against assault, to fortify. In later use: to increase the defences of (a fortified place, a frontier), to make stronger against assault.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fortify [verb (transitive)]
fastenOE
enfirm1297
ofstrengthc1325
strengthc1325
warnc1330
ward1340
warnestorec1374
abattlec1380
embattlec1380
fortify1436
bulwark1450
strengthen1450
bastille1480
enstrength1483
rempare1525
munite1533
fence1535
force1535
ranforce1547
rampire1550
fort1559
ramforce1570
fortificate1575
refortify1579
ensconce1590
munify1596
sconce1598
renforce1602
harness1611
munish1633
tackle1645
schanze1901
1450 in J. D. Marwick Charters Edinb. (1871) 71 We have..grauntit to thaim..leiff to fosse, bulwark,..and uther wais to strengthen oure foresaid burgh.
1452 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 20 The toune salbe stryngthnit and fortifiit with walles and strynthes in all gudeli haste.
1539 R. Morison tr. Frontinus Strategemes & Policies Warre i. i. sig. Aiiiiv The citie was well strengthned and defensed.
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 29 Another sconce..havinge the other side soe strengthned with wood that it was impossible to be assaultid.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Macc. ix. 50 These [cities] did he strengthen with high wals, with gates, & with barres.
1672 in Diary & Consultation Bk. 1672–8 (1910) Rec. Fort St. George 9 Whether ye Curtaines of ye Christian Town to be strengthened and Terrapined.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I. at Line To Line a Work, is to strengthen a Rampart with a firm Wall, or to encompass a Parapet or Moat with good Turf.
1761 Earl of Bristol Let. 14 Sept. in Papers relative Rupture with Spain (1762) 65 Several additional Works were going forward in order to strengthen the Fortifications at Gibraltar.
1841 W. Spalding Italy & Ital. Islands III. 193 Frederic II., wishing to strengthen his frontier towards Rome, planned the city.
1884 Manch. Examiner 4 June 5/1 He is already taking steps, by strengthening Herat, to guard against any inroad upon his territories.
1929 T. Chapais in H. H. Dodwell Cambr. Hist. Brit. Empire IV. iii. 75 The Marquis Duquesne made strenuous efforts to reorganise the Canadian militia and to strengthen the western frontier.
1995 L. Kennedy In Bed with Elephant (1996) iii. 62 To nip any further risings in the bud they strengthened their existing garrisons at Fort William in the west and Fort Augustus in the centre of the Great Glen.
2.
a. transitive. To give moral support, courage, confidence, or resolution to; to encourage, hearten. Also intransitive with object understood or (occasionally) with †of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)] > strengthen morally
comfortc1290
enforcec1386
supprise1447
fortify1477
strengthen1534
magnanimate1640
uphold1820
1534 G. Joye tr. U. Zwingli Dauids Psalter sig. f.ivv Let thy chefe gouernynge free spirite strengthen & lede me [L. confirma me].
1557 Bible (Whittingham) Luke xxii. 32 Therfore when thou art conuerted, strengthen thy brethren.
1576 tr. Seneca in E. Aggas tr. P. de Mornay Def. of Death sig. E.viii Certainly no man learneth how in time of need to lye vpon a bed of Roses, but rather how he may strengthen him self against torments.
?1580 S. Batman New Arival Three Gracis Ep. Ded. sig. A.iiv Your godly life and christian religion: in the which, the almighty father, sonne, and holy ghost strengthen with continuance.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. vi. 7 Impairing Henry strengthened misproud Yorke.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. iii. 28 But charge Ioshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him. View more context for this quotation
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxiiii. sig. M8 The good Mans goodnesse, lies not hid in himselfe alone: hee is still strengthening of his weaker Brother.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxviii. 162 The Subjects did not give the Soveraign that right; but onely in laying down theirs, strengthened him to use his own as he should think fit.
1707 J. Delme tr. P. Delmé Parable Sower 17 The more to strengthen and comfort us against the Evil denoted (the Revolt from the Faith).
1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality II. xii. 227 A little resentful haughtiness arose in his mind, and strengthened it against the violence of the reproofs that he expected.
a1802 H. Hunter Serm. & Other Misc. Pieces (1804) II. xxxiv. 319 It is my joy and rejoicing that the gracious Spirit of God still supports, strengthens, and assists.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Ode to Memory i, in Poems 58 Strengthen me, enlighten me!
1861 J. A. Alexander Gospel Jesus Christ xxxi. 412 Brethren, Christ strengthens us by his example.
1916 K. Burke Let. 1 May in Sel. Corr. K. Burke & M. Cowley (1988) 23 And my English prof here..has strengthened me.
1963 M. L. King Strength to Love x. 84 In a seemingly hopeless situation, they fashioned within their souls a creative optimism that strengthened them.
2004 C. L. Winkelmann Lang. Battered Women v. 113 Faith leads to action particularly on behalf of the oppressed. God strengthens and assists.
b. transitive. To confirm (a person) in an opinion, belief, feeling, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate
fasteneOE
i-sothea925
sustainc1325
witness1362
approvec1380
confirmc1384
affirma1393
justifya1393
to bear outa1475
corrobore1485
uphold1485
nourisha1522
underpinc1522
to countenance outa1529
favoura1530
soothe1544
strengthen1548
comfort1593
second1596
accredit1598
evidencea1601
warrantise1600
compact1608
back1612
thickena1616
accreditate1654
shoulder1674
support1691
corroborate1706
carry1835
to give (also lend) colour1921
1548 tr. M. Luther Chiefe Articles Christen Faythe sig. Gv He hath brought me oute of suche abhomination, and yet dayly preserueth me,..and strengthened [Ger. stercket] me in fayth.
1581 W. Fulke Serm. within Tower of London sig. Dv The papists are very fauourable vnto ye Anabaptists, which affirme ye baptisme of infants, cannot be prooued out of the holy scriptures, & so strengthen them in their heresie.
1661 J. V. Canes Fiat Lux i. 55 We use it [sc. holy writ]..to rais and strengthen us in new opinions, for which it was never intended.
1728 W. Webster tr. L. Maimbourg Hist. Arianism I. vi. 278 A particular accident.., which intirely strengthened him in the resolution he had taken.
1760 Scots Mag. Apr. 189/2 Tales of such a nature, that they do not convert the unwary hearer from sin, but strengthen him in evil.
1827 C. D. Golland Ruins of Ruthvale Abbey III. xiv. 219 The lady had taken him for a supernatural being,..and he resolved to strengthen her in her belief.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. x. 67 I was strengthened in this opinion by the fact [etc.].
1928 P. Grainger Let. 31 Jan. in All-round Man (1994) 89 Such a letter as yrs of Jan. 2 strengthens me in my limitless admiration for every side of you.
1969 R. B. Caplan & G. Caplan Psychiatry & Community 19th-cent. Amer. vi. 57 If anything could have strengthened her in her resolution [to commit suicide], it would certainly have been the insupportable monotony of such an existence.
2003 C. Gerhardt in K. S. Ng Global Perspectives in Family Therapy xii. 164 They attended conferences internationally and were strengthened in their beliefs.
3.
a. transitive. To increase the soundness or credibility of (a reason, claim, etc.); to support (an argument, opinion, etc.) by additional evidence, make more convincing; to make (an obligation, etc.) less liable to denial or contradiction.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > strengthening or confirmation of immaterial things > strengthen or confirm immaterial things [verb (transitive)] > specific reasons or obligations
strengthen1537
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > by additional evidence
replead1603
strengthen1712
1537 W. Turner tr. Urbanus Regius Compar. Olde Learnynge & Newe sig. B.ii They go aboute to strengthen and confirme this doctrine with scriptures.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 15 Strengthning their reasons with many examples.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xl. 249 Nor was there any Contract, that could adde to, or strengthen the Obligation, by which they..were bound naturally to obey God Almighty.
1712 Spectator No. 548. ⁋1 I have..drawn up some additional Arguments to strengthen the Opinion which you have there delivered.
1785 C. Reeve Progress of Romance I. Pref. p. ix My opinions were confirmed, and my arguments strengthened by this learned and judicious writer.
1825 W. Hazlitt Spirit of Age 247 In pronouncing Rembrandt to be a man of genius, [Wordsworth] feels that he strengthens his own claim to the title.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 527 They well knew that an inquiry could not strengthen their case, and might weaken it.
1878 Proc. Royal Soc. 27 309 The idea..that the outer atmosphere of the sun..is more metalloidal than metallic is strengthened by this observation.
1938 Social Forces 17 164/1 This conception of the poor whites..found only too ready acceptance, as it strengthened the justification of the system presented by the theorists.
1969 Law & Soc. Rev. 4 61 These celebrations regenerate support for the peace pact system,..and strengthen the obligations of the people to the personnel of the system.
2005 Frontiers in Ecol. & Environment Mar. 71/1 Geologists..have uncovered evidence that strengthens the case for the importance of greenhouse gases in climate change.
b. transitive. To increase in force or degree, to intensify, augment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > strengthening or confirmation of immaterial things > strengthen or confirm immaterial things [verb (transitive)]
strengha1175
strengthc1200
astrengthc1250
strength1340
confirmc1386
affirma1393
forcec1430
renforce?1473
corrobore1485
re-enforcec1485
reinforcec1485
stronga1500
consolidate?a1547
strengthen1546
sinewize1600
sinew1625
confortate1651
nervate1682
scaffolda1693
corroborate1698
substantiate1792
nerve1856
stouten1887
affirm1899
toughen1901
to put stuffing into1938
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase the intensity of
multiplya1398
sharpenc1450
heighten1523
height1528
strengthen1546
aggravate1549
enhance1559
intend1603
enrich1620
re-enforce1625
wheel1632
reinforce1660
support1691
richen1795
to give a weight to1796
intensify1817
exalt1850
intensate1856
to step up1920
to hot up1937
ramp1981
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > make strong [verb (transitive)]
strengha1175
strengthc1300
fastena1398
starka1400
fortify14..
enstrength1483
roborate1534
enstrengthen1539
strengthen1539
strengthen1546
masculate1623
nerve1694
nervate1792
1546 G. Joye Refut. Byshop Winchesters Derke Declar. sig. K.iii They..praied him to encrease & strengthen their faith.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xv. sig. Z1 Euer remembring to strengthen the suspition of his estate with priuate ielousie of her loue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 247 So I did, Fearing to strengthen that impatience Which seem'd too much inkindled. View more context for this quotation
1697 C. K. Art's Master-piece 72 When it has pretty good colour, go over it with Lac-Varnish, which will much deepen and strengthen the Colour.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. v. 83 Practical Habits are formed and strengthened by repeated Acts.
1789 R. Polwhele Eng. Orator iv. 4 The listless Lectures thou hast idly heard Strengthen the false Idea.
1799 Trans. Soc. Arts 17 299 Strengthen the shadows, making them..as dark as they are intended to be.
1836 J. H. Ingraham Lafitte I. i. ii. 21 Doubts were strengthened to confirmations, suspicions magnified to certainties.
1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers I. x. 153 Looking as she did, so beautiful.., with the pure brilliancy of her white dress brought out and strengthened by the colour beneath it, [etc.].
1877 Photogr. News 11 June 279/1 Tending only to strengthen the image already formed on the plate, and having no effect in bringing out any further detail.
1900 Jrnl. School Geogr. (U.S.) Apr. 133 The demand for a water route was strengthened by danger that [etc.].
1926 Amer. Mercury Apr. 393/1 The tum-tum bass of the piano is strengthened by the tuba.
1968 H. Brodkey in New Yorker 27 Apr. 50/1 Annetje's retreat strengthened his desire.
2007 J. A. Massad Desiring Arabs p. xiii Our work, which overlaps politically and theoretically, has strengthened our friendship since the first year of graduate school.
c. transitive. To give increased vigour of style to (a composition, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > vigour or force > imbue with vigour or force [verb (transitive)]
tanga1529
strengthen1605
to punch up1923
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. ii. 433 His plaine-pranckt stile he strengthens in such sort, That his quicke reasons wing'd with Grace and Art, Pierce like keene arrowes, euery gentle hart.
1729 ‘C. Fell’ Lives of Saints III. 435 He..knew how to embellish or strengthen his own Writings with the masterly Stracks of the Greeks and Latins.
1782 J. Warton Ess. on Pope (new ed.) II. vii. 49 The forcible and masculine images with which the ancients strengthened their compositions.
1830 W. Pinnock Comprehensive Gram. Eng. Lang. 289 Sometimes, the copious use of the copulative or disjunctive conjunction strengthens a sentence; at others, enfeebles it.
1882 C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xvi. 124 His revisions, alterations, and suppressions generally strengthened and improved an article.
1932 Stud. Philol. 29 457 Dunton's changes..are for the most part of a minor nature, in a feeble attempt to strengthen the style by making it more direct or forceful.
1969 G. Durrant William Wordsworth v. 72 The omission of this stanza greatly strengthened the poem, by..increasing the dramatic compression.
1997 Agric. Hist. 71 518 He strengthens his prose with carefully selected and judiciously used verbs and modifiers.
4.
a. transitive. To give bodily strength to; to increase the physiological strength or operation of.Quot. 1539 may represent sense 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > make strong [verb (transitive)]
strengha1175
strengthc1300
fastena1398
starka1400
fortify14..
enstrength1483
roborate1534
enstrengthen1539
strengthen1539
strengthen1546
masculate1623
nerve1694
nervate1792
1539 R. Morison tr. Frontinus Strategemes & Policies Warre ii. sig. Dviiiv He fyrste strengthened his souldiours with meate [L. firmatum cibo], and than caused theym to reste before the campe.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 7v Shoting is fitte for great mens children, both bycause it strengthneth the body with holsome labour, and pleaseth the mynde with honest pastime.
1568 T. Hill Proffitable Arte Gardening (rev. ed.) ii. xlvi. f. 136v The herbe eaten, doth strengthen the palsie members.
1606 Bp. W. Barlow One of Foure Serm. Hampton Court sig. B2 To strengthen the weake, to heale the infected.
1653 N. Culpeper Pharmacopœia Londinensis 320/2 Such as strengthen Nature against Poyson either do it to the whol Body universally, or else strengthen some particular part thereof.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Chalastick Medicines..do comfort and strengthen the Parts to which they are applied.
1776 J. Wesley Let. 28 May (1931) VI. 219 If you drank a cup of beef-tea twice or thrice a day, I believe it would strengthen you.
1804 W. Earle Obi v. 52 I knew that labor would strengthen your young body.
1881 T. A. M'Carthy Calisth. & Drilling 17 This exercise is to strengthen the leg and upper arm.
1943 M. Samuel tr. S. Asch Apostle ii. ix. 310 Titus would..lift him on to the mattress, and strengthen him..with a sup of wine.
2002 Tai Chi & Alternative Health 32 39/1 (advt.) Bao Ding Health Balls—used for centuries in China to strengthen the hand and wrists.
b. transitive. To make more effective or powerful by reinforcement of numbers or resources. Also: to increase the price or monetary value of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force
afforce1425
forcec1430
reforcec1450
fortify1470
reinforcec1485
stiffen?a1500
strengthen1548
toughen1582
invigorate1646
hardena1677
recruit1678
emphasize1800
bastion1822
beef1941
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > reinforce
enforce1340
stuffc1400
renforce?1473
relieve1487
supply1487
refreshc1500
ranforce1547
strengthen1548
re-enforce1579
reinforce1589
seconda1609
recrew1637
recruit1642
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force > with additional numbers or resources
fortify1670
strengthen1820
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxvii He so strengthened, multiplied and augmented his army in such numbre before he toke ship, that he with his awne powre might discourage and ouercome the whole puissaunce of his aduersaries.
1591 W. Raleigh Rep. Fight Iles of Açores sig. A3v Their Nauy..strengthened with..Florentines and huge Hulkes of other countries.
1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. Aaa 4v/3 He strengthned his Army with a recruit of six thousand men.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xxvi. 612 His army was strengthened by a numerous reinforcement of veterans.
1820 G. Belzoni Narr. Egypt & Nubia ii. 260 My purse was but light..and though it had been a little strengthened by the two statues I lately disposed of.., my whole stock did not amount to two hundred pounds.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece V. xliii. 313 The number now added to it was 4000, and 150 cavalry with eighteen galleys to strengthen the fleet.
1862 ‘Cavendish’ Princ. Whist (1864) 29 You must do your best to assist or strengthen your partner by leading high or strengthening cards.
1913 Times 14 May 6/2 The directors have deemed it advisable to strengthen the insurance fund by the transfer of £100,000 to that fund.
1979 W. Manchester Goodbye, Darkness (1987) 76 Homma was strengthened by twenty-two thousand fresh troops, howitzers and fleets of Mitsubishis and Zeroes.
2003 D. L. Scott Wall St. Words (ed. 3) 30 A high ratio indicates strong demand and is likely to strengthen the market prices of other fixed-income securities.
c. transitive. To reinforce (something material) by an additional physical support, added thickness, or by covering; to give added firmness to.
ΚΠ
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia ii. sig. H.iiijv The owte sydes of the walles be made other of harde Flynte or of plauster orelles of brycke, and the ynner sydes be well strengthened with tymber woorke [L. congesto rudere].
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. liv. 2 Lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes [of a tent] . View more context for this quotation
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Ttt4/1 To strengthen the Foundation of a House.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. x. 415 The sails are of matt, strengthened every three feet by an horizontal rib of bamboo.
1782 Rees's Cycl. Linch-clout, in Artillery, the flat iron under the ends of the arms of an axle-tree to strengthen them, and diminish the friction of the wheels.
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. 1131 Vertical bond is a course of bricks, stone, or other materials, tending to support or strengthen the building vertically.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) III. 151 Sometimes the bows of iron ships are strengthened by breast-hooks formed of plates and angle-irons.
1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward Dict. Needlework 305 To strengthen Heels, they are often knitted with double thread.
1888 E. Custer Tenting on Plains (1893) xvii. 358 In order to strengthen the tents against these hurricanes, he had ordered poles at each corner sunk deep into the ground.
1913 Bull. Metrop. Mus. Art 8 74/2 The whole construction is strengthened by angle braces cut out of forked branches.
1952 E. L. Leeming Road Engin. (ed. 3) ii. 23 A ‘carpet’ of bitumen has been used successfully in the States, to strengthen plank road bridges.
2001 H. Holmes Secret Life Dust i. 10 This dust, which was pounded from strange, fibrous rocks, strengthened the clay that they used for both pottery and house chinking.
d. transitive. To make (food or drink) more flavourful or potent by the addition of some ingredient, or the use of a particular method of cooking, preparation, preservation, etc.In quot. a1668 used humorously: to poison.
ΚΠ
1617 J. Murrell Daily Exercise for Ladies & Gentlewomen sig. C4v Strengthen it [sc. the syrup] with fresh Sugar boiled therein halfe an houre.
a1668 W. Davenant Wits iii. 193 in Wks. (1673) Arsnick my Girl to strengthen thy Aunts Broth.
1727 Magna Britannia IV. 687/2 Some strengthen their Beer with them [sc. potatoes].
1766 Compl. Farmer at Wine Some..mix a little of it [sc. the marc] with their other wines, to strengthen them, and thereby make them keep the better.
1826 T. Flint Recoll. Last Ten Years xiii. 103 What they call ‘cider royal’, or cider that has been strengthened by boiling or freezing.
1898 A. G. Bradley Highways & Byways N. Wales xv. 345 Pieces are then cut off it [sc. the preserved joint of meat] from time to time by the careful housewife, and used to strengthen or subsidise the staple dishes of the table.
1922 H. Lutz Viticulture & Brewing Anc. Orient i. 30 The Hebrews liked to strengthen the wine by adding spices, thus making it more palatable.
1963 R. Hume & M. Downes Penguin Cordon Bleu Cookery 35 Use good chicken stock..made from the liquor from a poached chicken and strengthened with the carcass bones after carving the bird.
2002 J. Freedman Poisoned Chalice ii. 48 Spanish pepper..was frequently used to strengthen wine vinegar.
e. transitive. To make (a solution or mixture) stronger in terms of the proportion of its active ingredient; to make more concentrated. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > mix or blend [verb (transitive)] > add as ingredient to a mixture > qualify by admixture > make stronger in active ingredient
strengthen1777
1777 Crit. Rev. Mar. 176 To strengthen the aluminous water, they put large pieces of hard aluminous rocks into it.
1841 A. Smee Elements Electro-metall. ii. iii. 71 With any given battery we can obtain a crystalline deposit, by strengthening the saline solution.
1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 382/2 By some the weak and exhausted oozes..from the pits are strengthened up by renewed leaching.
1913 J. B. Rathbun Pract. Hand Bk. Gas, Oil & Steam Engines (1916) ix. 280 Admit a little more fuel to strengthen the mixture by means of the needle valve adjustment.
1920 G. Martin Industr. & Manuf. Chem. (ed. 5) xix. 571 In the one-pit system the liquor is strengthened up from time to time by running away part and adding fresh milk of lime.
2011 A. K. Austin Cottage iv. 39 I could strengthen the solution or use a more abrasive material if I were willing to risk damaging the painting.
5. transitive. To make stronger in influence, authority, or security of position.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > make powerful [verb (transitive)]
to set up1387
ablec1425
fortify1470
strengthen1541
power1592
empower1643
invirtuate1650
1541 W. Cowley Let. to Lord Deputy 15 Mar. in Jrnl. Kilkenny Archaeol. Soc. (1858) 2 82 He hath many childs and ydlemen, whom he must hitherto have kept to strengthen himself against others.
1549 R. Crowley Psalter of Dauid lxxxix. sig. Bb.ijv I haue found Dauid my seruant, & haue hym anoynted: Wyth holy oyle that by my power he myght be strengthened.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 214 My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends I will most thankefull be. View more context for this quotation
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 iv. i. 36 To haue ioind with France in this Alliance, would more haue strengthened this our Common wealth, gainst forraine stormes.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ i. xvi. 31 The Favourit Luines strengthneth himself more and more in his minionship.
1744 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 641/2 Popularity, as it enables an individual to strengthen himself with the united power of the community, may very frequently..produce effects of the utmost importance.
1775 G. Stuart tr. J. L. de Lolme Constit. Eng. ii. i. 178 To have too exactly compleated the equilibrium between the power of the People, and that of the Crown, would have been..to have endangered liberty with a view to strengthen the Government.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. ii. 44 The Boar of Ardennes..strengthened by the possession of that fair lady's lands, castles, and seignorie.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. Proem 9 He loved to strengthen his family by a good alliance.
1885 Sat. Rev. 3 Jan. 4/1 Proposing measures for the purpose of strengthening the House of Lords.
1938 Delaware: Guide to First State (Federal Writers' Project) 38 Penn strengthened the courts of the lower counties and provided a Provincial or Supreme Court.
1978 Third Way 4 May 9/2 We should be more concerned with laws and changes in organisation which strengthen the community so that individuals can fulfil themselves within it.
2000 Internat. Affairs 76 340 Corporatism played a crucial role in strengthening the trade union and business critics of apartheid.
6. intransitive. To become strong or stronger; to grow in strength or intensity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (intransitive)] > in intensity or degree
waxc897
reforce1490
rise1594
fortify1605
strengthena1616
harden1625
intend1655
thicken1672
exasperate1742
intensify1853
thick1879
to hot up1922
to build up1936
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 230 These are not naturall euen[t]s, they strengthen From strange, to stranger. View more context for this quotation
1662 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 3rd Pt. 532 Thus as the days lengthen, so the cold strengthens.
1680 T. Otway Orphan i. 7 Oh men for flattery and deceit renown'd!.. As your years increase, that strengthens too, T' undo poor Maids.
1732 A. Pope Ess. Man ii. 11 The young Disease that must subdue at length, Grows with his growth and strengthens with his strength.
1792 T. Jefferson Notes of Cabinet Meeting 31 Oct. in Papers (1990) XXIV. 548 A year, even, was a great gain to a nation strengthening as we were.
1825 W. Scott Talisman xv, in Tales Crusaders IV. 325 The sun's rays, now strengthening fast.
1869 L. M. Alcott Little Women II. xi. 168 This belief strengthened daily.
1883 J. C. Jeaffreson Real Ld. Byron I. 255 Byron's journals show how steadily his tender concern for Miss Milbanke deepened and strengthened.
1906 H. Belloc Hills & Sea (1913) 169 The wind had strengthened by about half-past eight, so that it was very strong indeed.
1961 W. J. Parish Charles Ilfeld Company xii. 190 Sheep prices strengthened somewhat.
2006 Yours 16 Sept. 39/2 It's not all hearts and flowers, but on the whole our relationship is strengthening.
Phrases
to strengthen the hand of: to make (a person) more powerful; (figurative) to enable (a person or body of people) to act with greater effectiveness. [In quot. 1535 ultimately after Hebrew wayḥazzēq ’eṯ-yāḏō bēlōhīm (1 Samuel 23:16), lit. ‘and he strengthened his hand in God’; compare post-classical Latin confortavit manus ejus in Deo (Vulgate), German vnd sterckt seyne hand ynn Gott (1523 in Luther's translation).]
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xxiii. 16 Jonathas wente vnto Dauid..and strengthned his hande in God.
1633 W. Ames Fresh Suit against Human Ceremonies Pref. sig. i3v Is not the fury of the BB. yet feirce enough, their rage sharpe enough, but you must sett them on, and strenghthen their hands, to strike harder?
1734 R. Trevor Let. in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 251 The late Proceedings of Parliament for strengthening the King's hands.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. ii. 109 A new scheme of ecclesiastical laws was drawn up,..rather calculated to strengthen the hands of the spiritual courts than to withdraw any matter from their cognisance.
1948 Kenyon Rev. 10 249 In order to strengthen her hand for destruction, she needed an act of the most desperate abnegation.
2011 Guardian (Nexis) 9 Apr. 37 Such allegations against a country which is an ally in the war against terrorism and has suffered immensely in countering terrorists is not only unfair but strengthens the hands of terrorists.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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