(a) Of a person, bodily part or component, etc.: having physical strength; sturdy, strong; also fig.; also, as an epithet for a giant or Samson; of physical might or power: vigorous, strong; ~ as a bole (an oke), strongere than liounes; (b) of an animal, a bird, reptile, bird's beak, etc.: physically strong; ~ as an olifaunt; ~ chined (nekked), having a strong back (neck); (c) of work, actions: requiring strength, heavy; of a massage or rubbing: vigorous.

(a) Of a person, the body, physical condition, etc.: healthy, fit, robust; virile; ~ herted, q.v.; (b) of a bodily function: robust, vigorous; of appetite: hearty; of the pulse: firm, strong; of sight: sharp, keen; of sleep: sound; of the voice: loud; (c) of more ~ age, more advanced in years, more mature.

(a) Of an object: sturdy, heavy; also fig.; of leather, cloth, a bandage, etc.: thick, tough; of a hair shirt: coarse; (b) of a weapon, siege machine, armor, etc.: heavy, powerful; also fig.; ~ as stele; ~ pointed, of an arrow: having a powerful tip; (c) of a tree or root: sturdy; healthy; of a rock formation or rocky area: massive, solid; (d) of soup, dough: thick, heavy; of a substance: dense; also, hard, sturdy; ~ so iren; (e) of coins: containing much gold in weight or alloy; (f) of a surgical suture: solid, sturdy.

(a) Of a city, castle, castle walls, etc.: fortified, built to resist assaults; also fig.; ~ place, a stronghold, fortress; ~ walled, of a city: having fortified walls; maken ~, to fortify (a castle, city, etc.); reinforce (a city or castle with people); (b) of a building, its parts or materials, a ship, etc.: sturdy, well-built, solid; also fig.; ~ as (ani) stele, so ~ so stele; (c) of a prison or place of confinement: secure.

(a) Of a person, the heart, soul, etc.: spiritually or inwardly strong; also, virtuous; well-endowed (in virtue, conscience, etc.); ~ as olifaunt; (b) strong on intellectual or theological grounds [quot. a1425]; of a person's mental ability or intelligence: sharp, keen; ~ of minde, of a person: retentive in memory; (c) of words, a statement: forceful; of persons: ?violent in temperament, strong-willed; of God as judge: implacable; ~ of herte, ?hard-hearted, unforgiving; (d) of meekness, patience, hope, faith, etc.: firm, steadfast, strong; (e) of evidence, the basis for action or reasoning, etc.: firm, solid; sup. of protection: most reliable, best; maken ~, to confirm (grants or gifts), ratify; certify (a document); also, refl. affirm (that sth. is so), ?insist; made ~, confirmed, assured.

(a) Of a knight, warrior, etc.: fierce in fighting, valiant, brave, hardy; of an army or enemy: formidable in war or battle; also fig.; also, as an epithet for a knight [quot. c1385]; ~ and hardi (stoute); ~ herted, q.v.; ~ of chevalrie, ?valiant in warfare; ?well supplied with knights; maken ~, refl. to prepare oneself for battle; (b) comen ~, ?to come prepared or ready for violence or confrontation; also, ?come with forces ready to fight [last quot.]; (c) of a battle, war, fighting, etc.: fierce, hard-fought; also fig.; (d) of a blow, thrust, etc.: heavy, hard; (e) of military strength: overpowering; bi (thurgh) ~ honde, with (a) ~ honde, with ~ pouere, by overpowering military strength; with armed might; by the use of violence, by force or confrontation; (f) of a story: concerning valiant men or deeds; stif and ~; (g) of a debate: spirited.

(a) Of a ruler, lord, bishop, leader, etc.: wielding power, mighty; also, as an epithet for a ruler; (b) of a people, country, or the position of a state: powerful; of a city: rich, imposing; (c) of an enemy: formidable; of preachers: ?forceful, persuasive; of a person: influential; ~ of frendes (frendshipe), having powerful friends; (d) of God, Christ, the Passion of Christ, divine power, providence, an angel, etc.: powerful, mighty; bi a ~ honde, in (a) ~ honde, with mighty power, mightily; (e) of a pagan god, devil, demon, etc.: powerful; (f) of a planet, its position or influence: having a powerful effect on human events or affairs; (g) of the giving of gifts or the strength of pity: powerful in achieving results; of love: spiritually effective or powerful.

(a) Of a medicine, medicinal plant, poison, etc.: powerful in its operation or effect, potent; of the strength or efficacy of a medicine: powerful; ~ water, aqua fortis, nitric acid; (b) of wine or ale: having high alcoholic content, strong in effect; also fig.; of vinegar: having high acetic content; of lye: ?caustic.

(a) Of weather, winter, frost: severe; of wind, storm, rain, etc.: violent, heavy, strong; of a river, flood, currents, etc.: turbulent, fast-running; also fig. [quot. c1230]; of clouds: thick; (b) of heat, fire: intense; of smoke or a blast of it: heavy; of noise: loud; also, of color: bright; (c) of odor: overpowering, strong; offensive; of stench: intense; of breath, air, mist: foul; (d) of food, a medicinal preparation, plant: harsh in taste; ?also, pungent in odor [2nd quot.]; of the flavor of wine or an herb: strong [quots. 1st & ?a1450 may belong to (c)].

(a) Of an action, incident, a miracle, spell, etc.: wondrous, remarkable, amazing; also, of a physical or an alchemical process: powerful; a ~ might, ?a remarkable skill or ability; ?error for astronomie n.; (b) of an emotion, a feeling, the force or impact of an emotion, etc.: intense, deep; also, of friendliness: ?considerable [quot. 1448]; (c) of effort or exertion: strenuous, great; ~ laboured, ?energetic; ?active; (d) of differences or distinctions: significant, great.

(a) Of an event, a condition: adverse, unfortunate; of danger, peril: grave; of tidings: bad; of a dream: unpleasant, bad; in impers. constructions with inf.: hit is ~, it is bad or wrong (to do sth.); hit were ~, it would be terrible (to die, for sth. to happen); (b) of a sin, transgression, treason, guilt, etc.: flagrant, outrageous, vile; of error: serious, grievous; (c) of a thief, whore, etc.: vile, abhorrent, villainous.

(a) Of a region, path, wilderness, etc.: difficult to traverse or travel; rugged; also fig.; ?also, thickly wooded [quot. c1410, 1st]; of woods, a thicket: thick, dense; of a hill or cliff: steep; (b) of an undertaking, a task, etc.: arduous, difficult, onerous; -- sometimes used with inf.; also, impers. hit) is ~, it is hard (to do sth.); (c) of the life of a person or an animal: austere, hard; also, of fasting, the practice of asceticism or austerity of living: strict; (d) of a law, commandment, judgment: strict, severe; of courts, taxes: harsh, burdensome.

(a) Of a hardship, hunger, torture, punishment, the pains of hell, Christ's Passion, etc.: hard to endure, grievous; (b) of temptations: difficult to resist; (c) of illness: serious, grave; of a wound, bleeding, etc.: severe; of fever, pathological heat: high; also, of putrefied bodily humors or sores: ?inflamed; (d) of death, martyrdom, death throes: excruciating, painful.

Of a group of persons or a quantity of things: large in number, sizable; of width: broad; in ~ honde, in a large company, with a large retinue.

As noun: (a) one who is physically strong; -- also coll.; animals that are strong; also, as a name for the thumb; (b) those who are well or healthy; (c) those who are spiritually strong; (d) one who is brave or hardy in fighting; -- also coll.; (e) one who wields worldly power; -- also coll.; also, a people or nation that is powerful; (f) the mighty one; -- used of God; also, the word 'strong' as a name of God; (g) that which is sturdy or durable; (h) comp. more heavily fortified walls; (i) strong wine; also, strong drink; -- used iron. [1st quot.]; comp. stronger cleansing agents; (j) strong weather, a storm, tempest; sup. the most severe frosts; (k) a strong odor; (l) a loud accompaniment; -- used of snoring; (m) strong temptations.

In proverbs and sayings.

In surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem.2.162-3].