Webster's English Dictionary

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constrain

Cross references:
  1. force                 
 
con.strain \k*n-'stra-n\ \-'stra--n*d-le-, -'stra-n-dle-\ vt [ME 
   constrainen, fr. MF constraindre, fr. L constringere to c]onstrict, 
   constrain, fr. com- + stringere to draw tight - more at STRAIN 1: COMPEL  
   2: to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner {a ~e d smile} 3: 
   to secure by or as if by bond : CONFINE  4: to bring into narrow compass; 
   also : to clasp tightly  5: to hold back by force;  - con.strained.ly av