a. Chiefly Sc. and north. Forms: 4 strenkithi, -y, strenghti, -þi, 4–6 strenthy, 6 strenthie, strynthy, 8– strengthy. [f. STRENGTH sb. + -Y.]
† 1. Of a person: Strong to act or to withstand attack, mighty, powerful. Obs.
13[?]. Gosp. Nicod., 1317 (MS. Galba). [The devils say of Jesus] He es a strenkithi swayn.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter xxx. 4. Nourewhare i fele me strenghti and sykere bot of þe. Ibid. (1340), Pr. Consc., 5075. And strenthy men, and bond and fre, In caves þai wald þan hyde ilkan.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, X. 570. Allace! My best brothir in warld that euir I had!… My faith, my help, strenthiast in stour!
1520. M. Nisbet, N. T. in Scots, Apocal. xviii. 8. For God is strenthie [Wycl. strong], that sal deme hir.
1549. Compl. Scot., xvii. 151. He vas strynthy ande auful in ane battel contrar the enemeis of alexander.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 243. Thair was nane that mycht war him at na tyme bot he wan the lady frome thame all for he was verie puissant and strenthie on horsback.
† b. Of a position or structure: Strong against assault. Obs.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. x. 19. Duke Tharcon, and the Tuscanis … intill a strenthy place Thayr palȝeonis all had plantit.
1535. W. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 47. The strenthis all, baith castell, tour and toun,… He hes gart big far strenthear agane.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot. (S.T.S.), II. 16. The Balie fortifiet all castellis in the Realme estemet strenthiest.
† c. Of action, etc.: Formidable to contend with, difficult to overthrow. Obs.
1533. Bellenden, Livy (S.T.S.), II. 127. This aduersite cumin to þe ciete maid þe actioun of tribunis mare strenthy þan afore.
a. 1560. Rolland, Crt. Venus, I. 514. Lufe is sa perrellous, To all gude deid it is ane strenthie bar.
1561. Winȝet, Four Scoir Thre Quest., Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 60. This tractate … micht be maid … in sentence fer mair strenthy and difficill to our aduersaris to mak anssuer thairto.
1563. J. Davidson, Answ. Tract. Kennedy (1844), 208. Na examinatione can subvert the veritie, bot make it the mair strenthy and the mair manifest to the warlde.
1573. J. Tyrie, Refut. Answ. Knox, To Rdr. † ij b. So destitute of iugement … that we can nocht perceaue, quhat difference thair be betuix the simple and strenthie defence of ane iust caus, and the craftie coloring of ane lesing.
2. Physically or muscularly strong. Now rare exc. dial.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 118. Gif hardynes, or cowardis cum of a stark or strenthy corps.
1568. G. Skeyne, Descr. Pest, viii. (Bannatyne Club), 32. For as natural facultie, & it quhilk is callit animalis facultas, ar maist strenthy & best at eis, the vitale faculte becummis the mair feble.
17[?]. Hardyknute, in Maidment, Scottish Ballads (1868), I. 24. Right strengthy arms forfeebled grew.
1828. J. Wilson, in Blackw. Mag., XXIV. 275. Look at him now, a straight and strengthy stripling … springing over rock-ledge after rock-ledge.
1896. Daily Chron., 1 Sept., 10/6. 6 active, useful, strengthy cart and van horses.
