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constrain

 - 2 dictionary results

con⋅strain

  [kuhn-streyn]
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; ME constrei(g)nen < AF, MF constrei(g)n- (s. of constreindre) < L constringere. See con-, strain 1

Related forms:
con⋅strain⋅a⋅ble, adjective
con⋅strain⋅er, noun
con⋅strain⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. coerce. 2. check, bind.

Antonyms:
2. free.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To constrain
con·strain   (kən-strān')   
tr.v.   con·strained, con·strain·ing, con·strains

  1. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige: felt constrained to object. See Synonyms at force.

  2. To keep within close bounds; confine: a life that had been constrained by habit to the same few activities and friends.

  3. To inhibit or restrain; hold back: "Failing to control the growth of international debt will also constrain living standards" (Ronald Brownstein).

  4. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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