v.tr.
1. compel; urge irresistibly or by necessity.
2 a confine forcibly; imprison. b restrict severely as regards action, behaviour, etc.
3 bring about by compulsion.
4 (as constrained adj.) forced, embarrassed (a constrained voice; a constrained manner).
Derivatives:
constrainedly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF constraindre f. L constringere (as com-, stringere strict- tie)