strengthen

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/, /ˈstɹɛnθən/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English strengthnen, from strength with the verb suffix -en.^[2][3][4] The earlier verb was simply strength (about 1200), and also strengen, from Old English gestrengan.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

To give moral support, courage or confidence: before 1300 in the OED;^[5] to make or grow stronger, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.^[2]

Semantic evolution

To give a town defensive strength is from 1452,^[5] and to strengthen the hands of, to enable to act more effectively, from 1535.^[5] To make stronger in influence or authority is from 1579,^[5] to make a person physically stronger from 1585,^[5] and to reinforce a material thing from 1611.^[5] To confirm someone in an opinion is from 1833.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1200 – strength (verb).^[2]
• before 1300 – to encourage.^[5]
• 1452 – to fortify.^[5]
• 1579 – to make more secure.^[5]
• 1585 – to make physically stronger.^[5]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To make stronger or increase the strength of.
2. To become stronger.

Word family

• strengthener
• strengtheningly
• prestrengthen
• restrengthen
• unstrengthened
• unstrengthening

Related words

• strength
• strong
• lengthen

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press