unˈstrained, ppl. a.
[un-1 8, 8 c.]
1. Not subjected to straining or stretching; free from strain. Also fig.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 248 Pensyf, payred, I am for-payned, & þou in a lyf of lykyng lyȝte In paradys erde, of stryf vnstrayned. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. ix. 418 Taking a milk-white Bull, vnstrained with the yoke. 1690 Child Disc. Trade viii. 132 The Dutch..would buy our unstrained Cloth, and carry it into Holland, and there strain it. 1882 Minchin Unipl. Kinemat. 126 The ratio of the strained to the unstrained area. 1894 Westm. Gaz. 1 June 1/1 Their loyalty to the Cabinet would be unstrained by the work and worry of an Autumn Session. |
| transf. 1659 W. Chamberlayne Pharonnida v. ii. 158 That usurped diadem; which he..beheld without His unstrained reach. |
b. With
for: Not strained after.
| 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VI. 177 The blush..was a deep-dyed crimson, unstrained for. |
2. Not forced or produced by effort.
| 1580 Stanyhurst æneis, etc. (Arb.) 152 Heere percase carpers wyl twight his iollitye youthful. Strong reason vnstrayned that weake obiection aunswers. 1627 Hakewill Apology Power & Providence of God i. ii. 13 Which [Greek word] by an easie and vnstrained derivation, implies the breath of God. a 1639 T. Carew Poems (1651) 130 The true brood of Actors, that alone keep naturall unstrain'd Action in her throne. 1776 Mickle Camoens' Lusiad Introd. 140 The most natural unstrained harmony, is the just characteristic of the style of Camoens. 1802 Lamb G. F. Cook Wks. 1908 I. 47 This quality of unstrained mirth..is a prime feature in his character. 1871 Mrs. Whitney Real Folks xii, The pure, clear spaces where such things seemed to be fit and unstrained. 1898 Contemp. Rev. Aug. 188 Honours, like the gentle rain from heaven, fell upon him unstrained. |
3. Not passed through a strainer; not cleared or purified by straining.
| 1828–32 Webster s.v., Unstrained oil. 1853 Royle Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 477 Press out the juice, and evaporate it, unstrained, to a proper consistence. |