Strength

n. [A-S. strengthu, strengtho, strength, from strenge, strong. See STRONG.] 1. The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or 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; strength of evidence, of argument, or of persuasion, &c.; strength of feeling, of affection, and the like. Strength there must be, either of love or war. Holyday. 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. This act Shall crush the strength of Satan. Milton.

3. Power of resisting attacks; impregnability; as, the strength of a castle or fort.
4. That quality which tends to secure results; effective power in an institution or enactment; security; validity; legal or moral force; as, the strength of social or legal obligations; the strength of law; the strength of public opinion or custom.
5. One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying 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. Bp. Taylor.

6. Force as measured; amount or numbers 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?
7. Vigor of style; force of expression; nervous diction;—said of a literary work.

And praise the easy vigor of a line Where Denham’s strength and Waller’s sweetness join. Pope. 8. Intensity; brightness; clearness;—said of light or color. Behold bright Phœbus in his strength. Shak.

9. Intensity or degree of the distinguishing and essential element; spirit; virtue; excellence;—said of liquors, and the like; as, the strength of wine, of spirit, or of acids.
10. Vehemence; force;—said of a current of air, water, and the like.
11. A strong place; a stronghold; a fastness; a fortification. [Obs.] Milton.
12. (Fine Arts.) Boldness of conception or treatment. Fairholt.

On or upon the strength of, in reliance upon. “The allies, after a successful summer, are too apt, upon the strength of it, to neglect preparation for the ensuing campaign.” Addison. Syn.—Force; robustness; toughness; hardness; stoutness; brawliness; lustiness; firmness; puissance; support; spirit; validity; confidence; authority. See FORCE.