con·strain   (kən-strān')    tr.v.   con·strained, con·strain·ing, con·strains To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige: felt constrained to object. See Synonyms at force. To keep within close bounds; confine: a life that had been constrained by habit to the same few activities and friends. To inhibit or restrain; hold back: "Failing to control the growth of international debt will also constrain living standards" (Ronald Brownstein). To produce in a forced or inhibited manner. [Middle English constreinen, from Old French constraindre, constraign-, from Latin cōnstringere, to restrain, compress : com-, com- + stringere, to bind, press together; see streig- in Indo-European roots.] con·strain'a·ble adj., con·strain'ed·ly (-strā'nĭd-lē) adv., con·strain'er n.

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; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe.

He binds in chains 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 C[ae]sar. --Acts xxviii. 19.

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

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

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

constrain