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Webster 1913 Edition
Constrain
Con-strain′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Constrained
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Constraining
.] [OF.
constraindre
, F. contrainde
, L. constringere
; con-
+ stringere
to draw tight. See Strain
, and. cf. Constrict
, Constringe
.] 1.
To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe.
He binds in chains
The drowsy prophet, and his limbs
The drowsy prophet, and his limbs
constrains
. Dryden.
When winter frosts
constrain
the fields with cold. Dryden.
2.
To bring into a narrow compass; to compress.
How the strait stays the slender waist
constrain
. Gay.
3.
To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress.
My sire in caves
constrains
the winds. Dryden.
4.
To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige.
The love of Christ
constraineth
us. 2. Cor. v. 14.
I was
constrained
to appeal unto Cæsar. Acts xxviii. 19.
5.
To violate; to ravish.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. – To compel; force; drive; impel; urge; press.
Webster 1828 Edition
Constrain
CONSTRAIN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To compel or force; to urge with irresistible power, or with a power sufficient to produce the effect.The spirit within me constraineth me. Job 32.
I was constrained to appeal to Caesar. Acts 28.
For the love of Christ constraineth us. 2 Corinthians 5.
2.
To confine by fore; to restrain from escape or action; to repress.My sire in caves constrains the winds.
3.
To hold by force; to press; to confine.How the strait stays the slender waist constrain.
4.
To constringe; to bind.When winter frosts constrain the field with cold.
5.
To tie fast; to bind; to chain; to confine.He binds in chains the drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains.
6.
To necessitate.Did fate or we the adulterous act constrain?
7.
To force; to ravish. [Not used.]8.
To produce in opposition to nature; as a constrained voice; constrained notes.Definition 2024
constrain
constrain
English
Verb
constrain (third-person singular simple present constrains, present participle constraining, simple past and past participle constrained)
- (transitive) To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressurizing; to compel; to oblige.
- (transitive) To keep within close bounds; to confine.
- (transitive) To reduce a result in response to limited resources.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
to force; to compel; to oblige
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to keep within close bounds; to confine
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to reduce a result in response to limited resources