01 n. The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or mora…
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1.
The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgment.“All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were.” — Chaucer.“Thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty.” — Milton.
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2.
Power to resist force; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they endure the application of force without breaking or yielding; -- in this sense opposed to frangibility; as, the strength of a bone, of a beam, of a wall, a rope, and the like.
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3.
Power of resisting attacks; impregnability.
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4.
That quality which tends to secure results; effective power in an institution or enactment; security; validity; legal or moral force; logical conclusiveness; as, the strength of social or legal obligations; the strength of law; the strength of public opinion; strength of evidence; strength of argument.
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5.
One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying or affording force, strength, or firmness; that on which confidence or reliance is based; support; security.“God is our refuge and strength.” — Ps. xlvi. 1.“What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are providing shall be one of our principal strengths.” — Sprat.“Certainly there is not a greater strength against temptation.” — Jer. Taylor.
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6.
Force as measured; amount, numbers, or power of any body, as of an army, a navy, and the like; as, what is the strength of the enemy by land, or by sea?
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7.
Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; -- said of literary work.“And praise the easy vigor of a life Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join.” — Pope.
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8.
Intensity; -- said of light or color.“Bright Phoebus in his strength.” — Shak.
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9.
Intensity or degree of the distinguishing and essential element; spirit; virtue; excellence; -- said of liquors, solutions, etc.; as, the strength of wine or of acids.
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10.
A strong place; a stronghold.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
On the strength of —
in reliance upon.