WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Con*strain"
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [OF. constraindre, F. contrainde, L. constringere; con- + stringere to draw tight. See Strain, and. cf. Constrict, Conbstringere.]
Definition : 1. To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or con He binds in hains The droway prophet, and his limbs constrains. Dryden. When winter frosts constrain the fields with old. 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 necessiate; to oblige. The love of Christ constraineth us. 2. Cor. v. 14. I was constrained to appeal unto CActs xxviii. 19.

5. To violate; to ravish. [Obs.] Shak.

6. To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effet; as, a constrained voice.

Syn. -- To compel; force; drive; impel; urge; press.

t. [imp. & p.p. Constrained; p.pr. & vb.n. Constraining.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913