DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Con·strain v. t. [imp. & p. p. Constrained p. pr. & vb. n. Constraining.]
 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 Cæsar.   --Acts xxviii. 19.
 5. To violate; to ravish. [Obs.]
 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.
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 constraining
      adj : restricting the scope or freedom of action [syn: confining,
             constrictive, limiting, restricting]