Search the Dictionary

That branch of mechanics which treats of the equilibrium of forces, or relates to bodies as held at rest by the forces acting on them; -- distinguished from dynamics. Social statics, the study of the conditions which concern the existence and permanence of the social state.

The headquarters of the police force of any precinct.

To delay by force or craft; to drive away; -- usually with off; as, to stave off the execution of a project. And answered with such craft as women use, Guilty or guilties, to stave off a chance That breaks upon them perilously. Tennyson.

so as to prevent them from being bulged out when acted upon by a pressure which tends to force them apart, as in the leg of a steam boiler. -- Stay busk, a stiff piece of wood, steel, or whalebone, for the front support of a woman's stays. Cf. Busk. -- Stay rod, a rod which acts as a stay, particularly in a steam bo…

to, by intervening; hence, to arbitrate. [Obs.] They ran to him, and, pulling him back by force, stickled that unnatural fray. Sir P. Sidney.

furnaces are fed; the stokehole of a ship; also, a room containing a ship's boilers; as, forced draft with closed stokehold; -- called also, in American ships, fireroom.

A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence. A brave man struggling in the storms of fate. Pope.

To draw with force; to extend with great effort; to stretch; as, to strain a rope; to strain the shrouds of a ship; to strain the cords of a musical instrument. "To strain his fetters with a stricter care." Dryden.

or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgment. All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were. Chaucer. Thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty. Milton.…

The force, or combination of forces, which produces a strain; force exerted in any direction or manner between contiguous bodies, or parts of bodies, and taking specific names according to its direction, or mode of action, as thrust or pressure, pull or tension, shear or tangential stress. Rankine. Stress is the mutual…

To touch or hit with some force, either with the hand or with an instrument; to smite; to give a blow to, either with the hand or with any instrument or missile. He at Philippi kept His sword e'en like a dancer; while I struck The lean and wrinkled Cassius. Shak.

the distance through which an object can be reached by striking; the distance at which a force is effective when directed to a particular object. -- Striking plate. (a) The plate against which the latch of a door lock strikes as the door is closed. (b) A part of the centering of an arch, which is driven back to loose…

e physical power, or great physical power to act; having a power of exerting great bodily force; vigorous. That our oxen may be strong to labor. Ps. cxliv. 14. Orses the strong to greater strength must yield. Dryden.

Violence; force; power. It was their meaning to take what they needed by stronghand. Sir W. Raleigh.

a strong manner; so as to be strong in action or in resistance; with strength; with great force; forcibly; powerfully; firmly; vehemently; as, a town strongly fortified; he objected strongly.

aration used to stuff meat; especially, a composition of bread, condiments, spices, etc.; forcemeat; dressing.

Violation of chastity by force; rape. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Characterized by physical strength or force; strong; lusty; violent; as, a sturdy lout. How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke! Gray.

To bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to vanquish. I will subdue all thine enemies. 1 Chron. xvii. 10.

To subdue, and bring under the yoke of power or dominion; to conquer by force, and compel to submit to the government or absolute control of another; to vanquish. He subjugated a king, and called him his "vassal." Baker.