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constrain

Pronunciation: /kənˈstreɪn/

Translate constrain | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of constrain

verb

[with object]
  • compel or force (someone) to follow a particular course of action: [with object and infinitive]:children are constrained to work in the way the book dictates
  • (as adjective constrained) appearing forced or overly controlled:he was acting in a constrained manner
  • severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of:agricultural development is considerably constrained by climate
  • archaic bring about (something) by compulsion:Calypso in her caves constrained his stay
  • literary confine forcibly; imprison: the walls are high, the gates are strong, but true love never yet was thus constrained

Derivatives

constrainedly

Pronunciation: /kənˈstreɪnɪdli/

adverb

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French constraindre, from Latin constringere 'bind tightly together'

constrain in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of constrain in the US English dictionary
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