straint rare.
(streɪnt)
[Partly a. OF. estrainte, estreinte (mod.F. étreinte), n. of action f. étreindre to strain; partly a nonce-formation, after restraint, constraint, to serve as a n. to strain v.]
Application of force or pressure.
| 1534 Prymer in Engl. O v, When we are driuen to suche an harde straynte [1538 straynt] that we can not tel what to do. 1596 Spenser F.Q. v. ii. 14 Sir Artegall..Vppon his iron coller griped fast, That with the straint his wesand nigh he brast. a 1876 G. Dawson Shaks. & other Lect. (1888) 304 Friendship..is above the straints and restraints of destiny. |