strength English · revision 2961

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 899|origins=gem-pro *strangiþō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /streŋkθ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|strengthe]], [[inh|ang|strengþu|t=strength, bodily power, vigour, firmness]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) formed from [[m|ang|strang|t=strong]] and the noun suffix [[-th]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*strangiþō|alt=*strangitho]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Old High German strengida.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is from [[ine-pro|*strenk-|t=tight, narrow]], the root of [[string]].^(Etymonline) It is to [[strong]] as [[length]] is to [[long]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Before 899, in Alfred's translation of Bede,^(Barnhart 1988) and about 900 in the OED, of moral firmness.^(OED 1989) Middle English strengthe is from 1106, in the ''Peterborough Chronicle''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Old English used it of bodily power, vigour, fortitude, manhood, violence and moral resistance.^(Etymonline) Military power is from before 1122,^(OED 1989) and the power of a fortified place to resist attack from about 1375.^(OED 1989) The power of a material to resist force without breaking is from about 1384,^(OED 1989) and legal validity from about 1418.^(OED 1989) ''Strengthen'' is from about 1378, in Wycliffe.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 899 – strength, vigour.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1106 – Middle English strengthe.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1122 – military power.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1375 – of a fortification.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1378 – ''strengthen''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1384 – power to bear strain.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of being strong; physical power.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The power to resist attack or [[strain]]; durability.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Firmness of mind or [[character]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A strong point or [[asset]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Degree of intensity or concentration: ''full strength''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The number of people in a group, especially an army: ''at full strength''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[industrial-strength]]

+ * [[strengthen]]

+ * [[strengthless]]

+ * [[superstrength]]

+ * [[understrength]]

+ * [[field strength]]

+ * [[magnetic field strength]]

+ * [[tensile strength]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[strong]]

+ * [[string]]

+ * [[strict]]

+ * [[stringent]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Strength'' refers especially to physical, mental or moral robustness, while ''power'' is the ability to act, ''might'' great power, ''energy'' stored power, and ''force'' power exerted.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}