I. ˈstrān noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English streen, strene, from Old English strēon, strīon treasure, acquisition, procreation, progeny; akin to Old English strīenan to gain, Old High German striunan to gain, gi striuni gain, Latin strues heap — more at structure
1.
a. archaic : offspring , children
b. : a line descended or derived from a particular ancestral individual : progeny , descendants
the weakness of this royal strain increased from generation to generation
also : lineage , ancestry
came of a sturdy peasant strain
c. : a selected group of organisms sharing or presumed to share a common ancestry and usually lacking clear-cut morphological distinctions from related forms but having distinguishing physiological qualities (as high drought resistance in a plant, superior milk production in cattle, or increased virulence in a microorganism)
a high-yielding strain of winter wheat
broadly : a specified infraspecific group (as a stock, line, or ecotype)
d. : a class of persons or things : kind , sort
discussions of the highest strain
2.
a. : inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition
may this valiant strain remain a part of our national heritage
b. : a tendency or quality that is inherent though often incongruous as if inherited intact : trace , streak
a strain of madness in the family
his character is marred by a strain of fanaticism
3.
a. : a period or other well defined short subdivision of a musical composition or movement ; often : tune , air
b. : a distinct portion of an ode or other poem ; also : a passage of verbal or musical expression
c. : a stream or outburst of forceful, vigorous, or impassioned speech
4.
a. : the tenor, pervading note, burden, tone, manner, style, of an utterance (as a song, poem, speech, book) or of a course of action or conduct
he spoke in a noble strain
there was a strain of woe in his story
b. : mood , temper
in a philosophizing strain
Synonyms: see variety
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English streinen, strainen, from Middle French estreindre, estraindre, from Latin stringere to bind tight, press together; akin to Greek strang-, stranx drop squeezed out, strangos twisted, flowing drop by drop, strangalē halter, Middle Irish srengim I draw
transitive verb
1.
a. : to draw tight : cause to clasp firmly
the bandage should be strained tightly over the scalded surface to minimize blistering
b. : to stretch to maximum extension and tautness
the wire must be strained into position if the fence is to be firm and erect
strain a canvas over a frame
2.
a. : to exert (as oneself) to the utmost : put to great stress or effort : use or cause to function with extreme vigor
straining himself to a final burst of speed
strained her ear at the keyhole
b. : to injure (as oneself or a body part) by overuse or misuse
strained his heart by overwork
strained herself moving the piano
— compare sprain
c. : to injure by making too great a demand on or by exposure to excessive tension or other force
the storm strained the timbers of the ship
d. : to cause a change of form or size in (a body) by application of external force
3. : to squeeze or clasp tightly: as
a. : to press closely in one's arms : hug — usually used in the phrase strain to one's breast
b. : to compress painfully or harmfully : constrict
c. obsolete : to exert pressure upon so as to cause distress : afflict
d.
(1) : to take firmly in one's hand or grip
straining his hand in tearful farewell
strained her tense hands together
(2) obsolete : to seize (prey) with the claws
(3) obsolete : to grasp firmly and wield or brandish (a weapon)
4.
a. : to cause to pass through a strainer or other separatory device (as a filter, cloth, or porous body) usually by pressure, suction, or the force of gravity
strain the gravy free from lumps
b. : to remove by straining — usually used with out
strain the lumps out of the gravy
5.
a. : to stretch beyond its proper limit : do violence to in respect to intent or meaning
a very strained interpretation of the passage
the interests of justice are rarely served by straining the law
b. : to tax unduly
it would strain anyone's conscience to agree
6. obsolete
a. : to urge (as a request) with importunity : press
b. : to squeeze out : extort
7. : to raise to a high degree, pitch, or emotional state
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make violent efforts : stretch or extend to a maximum in coping with an exerting or difficult task : strive
muscles straining to raise the stone
his eyes strain to catch a glimpse of the sea
b. : to sustain a strain, wrench, or distortion usually in effecting an effort or resisting a force
ships straining at their anchors
c. : to make a vigorous effort to eject something usually from the body: as
(1) : to retch in attempting to vomit
(2) : to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate — often used in the phrase strain at stool
2.
a. : to pass through a strainer or other separatory device : become filtered
the liquid strains readily
b. : to pass through something easily as if through a strainer : trickle
water straining through sandy soil
c. : to pass from something as if being separated with a strainer : ooze , exude
muddy water strained from her hair
juice straining from the overripe fruits
3.
a. : to make great difficulty or resistance : balk
a horse straining at the lead
ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel — Mt 23:24 (Authorized Version)
b. : to take exception : scruple — usually used with at
anyone would strain at such an interpretation
Synonyms: see demur
•
- strain a point
- strain courtesy
III. noun
( -s )
1. : an act of straining or the condition of being strained: as
a. : excessive physical or mental tension
subject to severe strain in action
also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension
the wind pressure was a strain on the ship's rigging
her responsibilities were a constant strain
b. : excessive or difficult exertion or labor : a violent or overtaxing effort
gave a great strain and heaved the load aboard
c. : a hurt or injury of a body part or organ resulting or such as results from excessive tension, effort, or use
suffered from heart strain
usually : an injury resulting from a wrench or twist and involving overstretching of muscles or ligaments
foot strain
back strain
— compare sprain
d. : deformation of a material body and especially of an elastic solid under the action of applied forces
2. : something reachable only by straining : an unusual reach, degree, height, or intensity : pitch
a strain of excitement quite beyond my reach
3. archaic : a misconstruction obtained by stretching a meaning (as of a word or passage) : a strained interpretation of something said or written
4. obsolete : the track or hoofmarks of a deer
Synonyms: see stress