n.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' str ā nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre
Date: 15th century
1 a : the act of constraining b : the state of being checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action <the constraint and monotony of a monastic life ― Matthew Arnold> c : a constraining condition, agency, or force : CHECK <put legal constraint s on the board's activities>
2 a : repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions b : a sense of being constrained : EMBARRASSMENT