Dictionary De - En
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De - Pt| English Dictionary: constrained | by the DICT Development Group |
| 3 results for constrained | |
| From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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| From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
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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; 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. | |
| From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
|
Constrained \Con*strained"\, a. Marked by constraint; not free; not voluntary; embarrassed; as, a constrained manner; a constrained tone. | |
