Strengthen
/ˈstrɛŋk.θən/noun
To make or become stronger or more powerful.
Did you know?Its core comes from the same Indo-European root that gave English words tied to strength, string, and strictness — all carrying the idea of pulling something tight.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*strenk-
“to tighten, draw tight”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*strangithō
“strength, tightness, force”
Old English
OE
strengþu
“strength, force, power”
Old English
OE
strengþian
“to make strong, strengthen”
Middle English
ME
strengthenen
“to strengthen, fortify”
Modern English
English
strengthen
“to make stronger”