- constrain
- \ \ see STRAIN
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
constrain
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Constrain — Con*strain , v. 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; … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
constrain — I (compel) verb actuate, apply pressure, assert oneself, bring about by force, bring pressure to bear upon, burden, cause to, charge, coerce, cogere, command, command influence, compel, compellere, decree, demand, dominate, drive, enforce,… … Law dictionary
constrain — early 14c., constreyen, from stem of O.Fr. constreindre (Mod.Fr. contraindre) restrain, control, from L. constringere to bind together, tie tightly, fetter, shackle, chain, from com together (see COM (Cf. com )) + stringere to draw tight (see… … Etymology dictionary
constrain — oblige, coerce, compel, *force Analogous words: impel, drive, *move, actuate: require, exact, *demand … New Dictionary of Synonyms
constrain — [v] force; restrain ban, bar, bind, bottle up, bridle, chain, check, coerce, compel, concuss, confine, constrict, cool off*, cork, curb, deny, deprive, disallow, drive, hem in*, hog tie*, hold back, hold down, hold in, immure, impel, imprison,… … New thesaurus
constrain — ► VERB 1) compel or force towards a course of action. 2) (constrained) appearing forced. 3) severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of. DERIVATIVES constrainedly adverb. ORIGIN Old French constraindre, from Latin constringere bind t … English terms dictionary
constrain — [kən strān′] vt. [ME constreinen < OFr constreindre < L constringere, to bind together, draw together < com , together + stringere, to draw tight: see STRICT] 1. to force into, or hold in, close bounds; confine 2. to hold back by force;… … English World dictionary
constrain — v. (formal) 1) (D; tr.) to constrain from 2) (H) to constrain smb. to do smt. * * * [kən streɪn] (H) to constrain smb. to do smt. (formal) (D; tr.) to constrain from … Combinatory dictionary
constrain — con|strain [kənˈstreın] v [T] [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: constraindre, from Latin constringere to constrict, constrain , from com ( COM ) + stringere to pull tight ] 1.) to stop someone from doing what they want to do constrain sb… … Dictionary of contemporary English
constrain */ — UK [kənˈstreɪn] / US verb [transitive] Word forms constrain : present tense I/you/we/they constrain he/she/it constrains present participle constraining past tense constrained past participle constrained formal 1) to limit someone s freedom to do … English dictionary
constrain — See check, curb, restrain, constrain. See check, curb, restrain, constrain … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
