ἀλκή

English (LSJ)

ἡ, (cf. ἀλέξω)

   A strength as displayed in action, prowess, courage, poet. word (also in Hdt., Th., and later Prose, Ti.Locr. 103b, Arist.EN1115b4, Pol.1338a20, etc.), in Hom. joined with σθένος Il.17.212, Od.22.237; with μένος Il.9.706; with ἠνορέη Od.24.509; ἐπιειμένοι ἀλκήν Il.8.262; φρεσὶν εἱμένος ἀλκήν 20.381; δύεσθαι ἀλκήν 9.231:—later, χερὸς ἀλκᾷ Pi.O.10(11).100; θηρία ἐς ἀλκὴν ἄλκιμα Hdt. 3.110: generally, force, might, συνῆψαν ἀλκήν E.Supp.683; κατ' ἀλκήν, opp. κατὰ σύνεσιν, Arr. Tact.12.11: in pl., feats of strength, bold deeds, Pi.N.7.12, B.10.126, E.Rh.933, Hierocl.p.33.61A.    II strength to avert danger, defence, help, Διὸς ἀ. Il.15.490, cf.8.140; οὐδέ τις ἀ. Od.12.120, 22.305; ποῦ τις ἀ.; A.Pr.546; ἀ. βελέων S. Ph.1151; δορός E.Ph.1098: also ὰ. τινος defence or aid against thing, Hes.Op. 201, Pi.N.7.96, S.OT218; ἀλκὴν ποιεῖσθαι give aid, OC459; ἀ. τιθέναι make a defence, ib. 1524; ἐς or πρὸς ἀ. τρέπεσθαι turn and resist, stand on one's guard, Hdt.2.45, 3.78, Th.2.84; στρέψας πρὸς ἀ. E. Andr.1149; ἐς ἀ. ἐλθεῖν Id.Ph.421; ἀλκῆς μεμνῆσθαι Hdt.9.70; ἐν οἷς ἐστιν ἀ. where they can defend themselves, Arist.ENl.c.    III battle, fight, A.Th.498,569, 878 codd., E.Med.264.