strengthen

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Jump to: navigation, search

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Etymology

strength +‎ -en

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to strengthen

Third person singular
strengthens

Simple past
strengthened

Past participle
strengthened

Present participle
strengthening

to strengthen (third-person singular simple present strengthens, present participle strengthening, simple past and past participle strengthened)

(transitive) To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; as, to strengthen a limb, a bridge, an army; to strengthen an obligation; to strengthen authority; to fortify; to reinforce.
(transitive) To animate; to give moral strength; to encourage; to fix in resolution; to hearten.
(transitive) To augment; to improve; to intensify.
(intransitive) To grow strong or stronger.

[edit] Quotations

1851: Anonymous, Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog

A little hardship, and a little struggling with the rougher elements of life, will perchance but strengthen and increase his courage, and prepare him for the conflicts and struggles of after years.