Adjective

(en adjective)

Good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.

He was a proficient writer with an interest in human nature.

* 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 5

By constant playing and experimenting with these he learned to tie rude knots, and make sliding nooses; and with these he and the younger apes amused themselves. What Tarzan did they tried to do also, but he alone originated and became proficient .

Adjective

(er)

Capable of producing great physical force.

Capable of withstanding great physical force.

fast moving water, wind, etc, which has a lot of power.

Determined; unyielding.

* , chapter=10

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong , like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}

Highly stimulating to the senses.

Having an offensive or intense odor or flavor.

Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient.

(specifically) Having a high alcoholic content.

(grammar) Inflecting in a different manner than the one called weak, such as Germanic verbs which change vowels.

(military) Not easily subdued or taken.

(slang, US) Impressive, good.

Having a specified number of people or units.

(of a disease or symptom) (l) (very bad or intense)

* 2005 , Andrew Gaeddert, Healing Immune Disorders: Natural Defense-Building Solutions , North Atlantic Books, page 221:

Physicians may diagnosis influenza by a throat culture or blood test, which may be important if you have a particularly strong flu, if your doctor suspects pneumonia or a bacterial infection.

(mathematics, logic) Having a wide range of logical consequences; widely applicable. (Often contrasted with a statement which it implies.)