constrain
Use Constrain in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to force, compel, or oblige: He was constrained to admit the offense.
2.
to confine forcibly, as by bonds.
3.
to repress or restrain: Cold weather constrained the plant's growth.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English constrei(g)nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei(g)n- (stem of constreindre) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain1
1275–1325; Middle English constrei(g)nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei(g)n- (stem of constreindre) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain1
Related forms
con·strain·a·ble, adjective
con·strain·er, noun
con·strain·ing·ly, adverb
non·con·strain·ing, adjective
un·con·strain·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. coerce. 2. check, bind.
1. coerce. 2. check, bind.
Antonyms
2. free.
2. free.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Constrain
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Collins
World English Dictionary
constrain (kənˈstreɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to compel or force, esp by persuasion, circumstances, etc; oblige |
| 2. | to restrain by or as if by force; confine |
| [C14: from Old French constreindre, from Latin constringere to bind together, from stringere to bind] | |
| con'strainer | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
constrain
mid-14c., from stem of O.Fr. constreindre, from L. constringere "to bind together, tie tightly," from com- "together" + stringere "to draw tight" (see strain (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
However, health-care costs and other nondiscretionary expenditures increasingly constrain what they can spend on higher education.
If you constrain prices below the market clearing rate you'll have shortages.
Let's instead look at ways to constrain future costs, rather than adding more to the bucket.
Availability and quality of weather data, however, often constrain research and extension efforts.
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