strength

Etymology

From Middle English strengthe, from Old English strengþu (“strength”), from Proto-West Germanic *strangiþu (“strongness; strength”), equivalent to strong + -th. Cognate with Dutch strengte (“strength”), German Low German Strengde, Strengte (“harshness; rigidity; strictness; severity”).

noun

1. The quality or degree of being strong.
   It requires great strength to lift heavy objects.
2. The intensity of a force or power; potency.
   He had the strength of ten men.
   Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace: the first apt to give stiffness, the other suppleness: one gives substance and form to the statue, the other polishes it. 1699, William Temple, Heads designed for an essay on conversations
3. The strongest part of something; that on which confidence or reliance is based.
   […] certainly there is not in the world a greater strength against temptations, then is deposited in an obedient understanding […]. 1649, Jeremy Taylor, The Great Examplar of Sanctity and Holy Life according to the Christian Institution, London: Francis Ash, Part 1, Section 4, Discourse 2, p. 66
4. A positive attribute.
   We all have our own strengths and weaknesses.
5. (obsolete) An armed force, a body of troops.
6. (obsolete) A strong place; a stronghold.

verb

1. (obsolete) To strengthen (all senses).
   Then ſhalt thow perceave what it meaneth that the power of this wretched monſtre / muſt be ſtrengthed / by anothers power and not by his awne. 1529, John Frith, A piſtle to the Chriſten reader[…]
   In witnes wherof we haue cauſed this pꝛeſent wꝛiting to be ſtrengthed with the ſeal of our facultie[…] 1550, Edward Halle, “King Henry the viij.”, in The Vnion of the Two Noble and Illuſtre Famelies of Lancaſtre and Yoꝛke, page 1271