Why is the Euro stronger if rate is 1.4 Euro per usd?

The Euro is quoted Indirect Vs the US Dollar, so 1.4 is actually

USD1.4 per Euro

Typically, currencies are quoted Directly which is the inverse of the above relationship, e.g.

USD1 = JPY100

The Indirect currencies,by convention, are Euro, British Pound, Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollar. Gold is also quted Indirectly.