(a) To make (sth.) strong, reinforce; also fig.; fuel (a fire); make (a medicine) potent; aggravate (a disease); also, fit out (a ship), supply [quot. ?a1450]; (b) to make (a building or wall) strong; fortify (a castle, city, etc.); also fig.; ppl. strengthed, of cities, castles, etc.: fortified; strong; (c) to fasten (sth.); also fig.

(a) To give strength to a bodily organ; make (sth., the body, a bodily part or component, the functioning of a bodily organ, etc.) strong; fortify (physical strength); also, sustain (sb.) [last quot.]; ?tighten or contract the muscles of (the arms) [1st quot.]; ben strengthed, be made strong; be fortified; have strength (to do sth.); ben strengthed to pasture, of an animal: become mature enough to graze; ben strengthed up to lif, be provided strength for living; (b) refl. of the body: ?to strengthen itself, be strong.

(a) To make (a ruler, regime, etc.) strong or secure; uphold (sb.), support; also, make (a town) prosperous; (b) to bolster up (sb.) in fighting, battle, a dispute, etc.; aid (an army); also, give support in (a war or battle, fighting); (c) refl. to make oneself strong with military power; fortify oneself (with fighting men or provisions); (d) to protect (sb. or sth.), defend.

(a) To provide spiritual strength; give spiritual strength to (sb., the heart, soul, etc.), fortify with spiritual strength; refl. strengthen oneself spiritually; also, inspire oneself (with the sign of the cross); ppl. strengthed, spiritually fortified (with grace); ?persuaded (in a belief), convinced, confirmed [quot. a1500 *Sidrak & B.]; (b) to give (sb., the soul, will) spiritual strength (to do sth.); (c) to make (belief, virtue, hope, etc.) strong, fortify; of God: reinforce (his mercy), increase.

(a) To aid (sb.) in an action, a scheme, misdeed, etc.; abet (the devil); also, incite (sb. to do sth.); ppl. strengthed, incited; (b) to participate in (an action), aid in.

To support (an opinion, a reply), confirm; support (information with an authority); reinforce (an argument, reasoning, a word, etc.); ppl. strengthed, of knowledge: based on truth.

To confirm (a grant); ratify (a document).

(a) To make efforts, strive; refl. exert oneself; strive (to do sth.); ppl. strengthed, ?having exerted oneself (?in childbirth); (b) ~ upon (in up), to exert force on (sb.), prevail against; (c) to compel (man's will to do sth.), constrain, force.