strengthen English · revision 10371

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1300|origins=en strength}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/, /ˈstɹɛnθən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English strengthnen, from [[strength]] with the verb suffix [[-en]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) The earlier verb was simply strength (about 1200), and also strengen, from Old English gestrengan.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To give moral support, courage or confidence: before 1300 in the OED;^(OED 1989) to make or grow stronger, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To give a town defensive strength is from 1452,^(OED 1989) and ''to strengthen the hands of'', to enable to act more effectively, from 1535.^(OED 1989) To make stronger in influence or authority is from 1579,^(OED 1989) to make a person physically stronger from 1585,^(OED 1989) and to reinforce a material thing from 1611.^(OED 1989) To confirm someone in an opinion is from 1833.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – strength (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1300 – to encourage.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1452 – to fortify.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1579 – to make more secure.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1585 – to make physically stronger.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make stronger or increase the strength of.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To become stronger.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[strengthener]]

+ * [[strengtheningly]]

+ * [[prestrengthen]]

+ * [[restrengthen]]

+ * [[unstrengthened]]

+ * [[unstrengthening]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[strength]]

+ * [[strong]]

+ * [[lengthen]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}