strengthenern.
/ˈstrɛŋ(k)θ(ə)nə/, /ˈstrɛŋ(k)θn̩ə/, U.S. /ˈstrɛŋ(k)θ(ə)nər/ Something or someone that gives or increases strength.
1. Chiefly in religious language. A giver of moral or spiritual strength; a source of courage, confidence, or resolution.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > [noun] > according to other attributes
horn of salvation (health)c825
fatherOE
Our FatherOE
leecha1200
searcher of (men's) heartsa1382
untempter1382
headstone of the cornerc1400
Valentinec1450
illuminator1485
sun?1521
righteous maker1535
shepherd1535
verity1535
strengthener1567
gracer1592
heart-searcher1618
heartbreaker1642
sustainera1680
philanthropist1730
the invisible1781
praise1782
All-Father1814
wisdom1855
omniscient1856
engracer1866
inbreather1873
God of the gaps1933
the great —— in the sky1968
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > [noun] > one who or that which encourages
hearterc1550
encourager1562
strengthener1567
heartener1601
emboldener1847
booster1890
pep talker1925
1567 E. Hake tr. Thomas à Kempis Imitation of Christ iii. xxxv. f. 97 Sonne, I am the Lorde, the strengthener of men in aduersities [L. Dominus confortans in die tribulationis].
1607 R. Humfrey Conflict Iob 55 How comes it to passe, that thou which hast bin in times of prosperity a strengthner of others in the faith dost now in thine aduersity shrinke vnder the burden, and despair of saluation?
1666 J. Smith Γηροκομία Βασιλικὴ 30 The holy Spirit of God, who is as much at liberty as the wind, is both the begetter, and the strengthener.
1734 J. Sherbrooke Serious Advice of Parent to His Children 69 This blessed Holy Spirit..is stiled the Comforter, the Sanctifier, the Leader, Guide, Teacher, Strengthener of his People.
1760 Coll. Testimonies concerning Several Ministers of Gospel 82 The Lord was pleased to make him a serviceable Instrument amongst us, and a Strengthener of those who were right minded.
1821 J. F. Cooper Spy II. i. 5 I have a small book here which I make it a point to read a little in, whenever we are about to engage, and I find it a great strength'ner in time of need.
1865 C. Lever Let. 4 Feb. in E. Downey C. Lever (1906) II. xv. 85 Your encouragement will be a great strengthener to me, and give me that confidence that none of my own connections ever inspire.
1904 C. H. Brent Consol. Cross 3 He is God the Consoler as well as God the Strengthener.
1980 R. W. J. Austin tr. Ibn Al' Arabi Bezels of Wisdom i. 108 Were it not for this distinction one divine Name would be interpreted..as another. The Name the Strengthener is not understood in the same way as the Name the Abaser.
2011 M. Clanahan Cast up Highway i. viii. 59 That's why we need to continue to reinforce the Word in ourselves. It is our strengthener,..our reminder of the trustworthiness of our God!
2. Something that gives or increases bodily strength or promotes healthiness. Also: something that gives physical solidity or firmness; a structural support; a reinforcement; a strengthening agent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > [noun] > one who or that which
strengthOE
strengthener1579
sinewera1813
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > restoratives, tonics, or stimulants > [noun] > tonic
strengthening1571
strengthener1579
corroborative1601
fortification1655
roborant1661
corroborator1674
corroboratica1704
corroborant1738
bracer1740
tonic1799
invigorant1822
1579 J. Jones Arte preseruing Bodie & Soule i. xi. 24 Exercise..is the preseruer of mans life,..strengthner of the partes, death of disseases.
1635 T. Jackson Humiliation Sonne of God viii. xxix. 340 But vinegar,..mingled with hyssop, is a strengthener.
1733 G. Cheyne Eng. Malady ii. iv. 144 There is not a more wonderful Strengthner of the Solids..than the Jesuits Bark.
1751 J. Hill Hist. Materia Medica iii. 895 The greatest Quantity of Isinglass is made in Russia... It is an excellent Agglutinant and Strengthner.
1825 L. Hunt tr. F. Redi Bacchus in Tuscany 120 Tea is highly commended..as a strengthener to the head and stomach.
1842 Penny Mag. Apr. 172/2 If we open a piano-forte..we shall see bars and rods and strengtheners of various kinds.
1872 O. W. Holmes Poet at Breakfast-table v They go for weakness whenever they see it, with stimulants and strengtheners.
1906 Brit. Dental Jrnl. 27 882 It is a principle in the use of metal as a strengthener that gold is the best metal to use.
1920 Boys' Life Sept. 26/2 How he hung on, I don't know, but fear is a great strengthener.
1977 New Scientist 20 Oct. 156/3 In mending broken bones.., it is usually necessary to fit strengtheners in the form of pins.
2011 K. Jaggers Everything Pie Cookbk. i. 2 Strengtheners are ingredients that help build structure in baked goods and include flour, milk, whole eggs, and egg whites.
3. Something that increases force, degree, effectiveness, or power; an intensifier; an augmenter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > strengthening or confirmation of immaterial things > [noun] > a source or means of
strengthinga1400
confirmator1485
stablishment1533
strengthening1571
strengthener1579
corroborative1601
strength1615
corroboration1670
re-enforcer1832
reinforcer1873
vertebration1884
1579 Poore Knight his Pallace Liiiv Ah true maintainers of the right, and strengthners of the lawes.
1645 G. Smith Englands Pressures 14 These have beene the strengthners of the hands of the Enemies.
1654 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest iii. ix. 173 There is no greater strengthener of sin, and destroyer of the soul, then Scripture misapplied.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. xix. 90 Religious zeal is a strengthener, a confirmer, of all the social sanctions.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. ii. 225 The grand strengthener of faith and every other virtue is a behaviour conformable thereto.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 160 Simplicity in habit, truth in speech, Be these the daily strengtheners of their minds!
1865 E. Morris Ten Acres Enough (ed. 4) iv. 29 Her resolution was a powerful strengthener of my own convictions.
1882 Cent. Mag. May 130/1 A chairman is a very valuable strengthener of the lecturer's position.
1916 H. Nicolay Our Nation in Building xxiii. 504 It was a test of endurance and a strengthener of character.
1959 I. Gershwin Lyrics on Several Occasions 343 ‘Got’ for some centuries has been accepted as a strengthener in ‘I've got’ and ‘I have got’.
2005 T. Grescoe Devil's Picnic (2006) viii. 298 The original role of drugs, as agents of pleasure, transcendence, and strengtheners of community.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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