|
| strain [ strayn ] |
verb (past and past participle strained, present participle strain·ing, 3rd person present singular strains) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. intransitive verb make extreme effort: to have to make an unusually great or even painful physical or mental effort in order to do something
  The office strained to complete the work on time.
strained to hear the speaker
|
2. intransitive verb pull violently: to pull at or push against something, especially an obstacle or restraint, with great force or violence
straining at the leash
|
3. transitive verb make great demands on something: to make something seem barely adequate to meet the demands placed on it
a story that strains credulity
Taking on more debt would strain our resources to the limit.
|
4. transitive and intransitive verb make something less cordial: to make a relationship less friendly or more difficult, or become less friendly or more difficult
The recent crisis has strained relations between the two countries.
|
5. transitive verb injure something: to damage a part of the body through using it too hard or too much
|
6. transitive and intransitive verb pull or stretch tight: to pull or stretch something until it is tight, or be pulled or stretched until tight
|
7. transitive and intransitive verb pass something through strainer: to pass something, or be passed, through a mesh or filter to remove solids or larger particles
Strain the stock and return it to the pan.
|
8. transitive verb remove something using strainer: to separate part of something from the rest using a strainer
|
9. transitive verb hug somebody: to hold somebody closely and tightly
(
literary
)
|
10. transitive verb physics deform structure: to deform a body or material by applying an external force to it
|
noun (plural strains) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. stress: intense demand on body, mind, or resources that can only be met with great effort
under considerable strain
It's the strain of living with him day after day that's wearing me out.
|
2. demand that causes stress: something that places great demands on somebody or something, or makes something seem barely adequate
unexpected expenses that are a strain on our budget
|
3. great exertion: a great or extremely taxing exertion or effort
It was a real strain to lift it but we managed it.
|
4. physical injury: an injury to a part of the body caused by excessive use or by a twisting or stretching of muscles or tendons beyond their normal range
|
5. act of filtering: an act of passing something through a strainer
|
6. pulling force: a pulling or stretching force exerted on something
the strain on the rope
|
7. physics deformation of structure: the deformation of a body or material caused by applying an external force to it
|
| [14th century. Via Old French estreindre "draw tight" < Latin stringere "draw tight, bind"] |
