A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Starknes, Sterknes, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. starkenesse (Prompt. Parv.), starckenes (1544), stiffness, starknesse (1544), utter privation, starkness, absoluteness; Stark adj.] Strength, power. a. Of a moral or spiritual nature; courage, fortitude, steadfastness. b. Of an ocean current. —a. 1490 Irland Mir. I 129/26.
Crist, that was of infynit starknes 1490 Irland Mir. III 74/18.
Sen the saule mone pas fra this estait … tharfor it misteris a strenth fortitud and starknes to iune it in ardent luf to God a1550 Goldin Latany 207/55.
Thy gud deidis and sterknes that thou had quhen thow resistit thi innomes c1590 Fowler II 117/34.
The greatnes and sterknes of hart and curage —b. ?1549 Monro W. Isles (1961) 65.
Very perillous for schippis be reason of the starknes of the stream
