strike off strength

English

Etymology

From strike off (“remove from”) +‎ strength (“armed forces”).

Verb

strike off strength (third-person singular simple present strikes off strength, present participle striking off strength, simple past struck off strength, past participle struck off strength or stricken off strength)

1. (transitive, intransitive, Commonwealth, military, historical) To discharge or decommission a soldier, animal or vehicle out of the service of the armed forces.

   Antonym: take on strength

   Alternative form: (past participle) SOS

   Struck off strength three horses after 10 months' service.

   • 1969 October 31, Russell MacEwan, “Striking off strength of Black Watch—Request for Reconsideration”, in House of Commons Debates, 28th Parliament, 2nd Session, volume 1, Canada, pages 355–6:

     Has the minister received communications asking him to reconsider his decision to strike off strength the only highland regiment in the Canadian army, the Black Watch, and has he made any further decision in this regard?

Usage notes

• The term is chiefly used in the past participle struck off strength in historical military records, to mark the end of military service.