English Explanatory Dictionary

constrain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.
  2. To keep within close bounds; to confine.
  3. To reduce a result in response to limited resources.

Pronunciation

/kənˈstɹeɪn/ en-us-constrain.ogg

Word forms

constrain constrains constraining constrained

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin cōn- Proto-Indo-European *strengʰ-der. Proto-Indo-European *streyg-der. Latin stringō Latin cōnstringōder. Old French constreindrebor. Middle English constreinen English constrain From Middle English constreinen, from Old French constreindre, from Latin cōnstringō, from cōn- (“with, together”) + stringō (“to draw, bind or tie tight”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *streyg- (“to stroke, to shear, stiff”).

Related words

constraint constrict restrain strain

Derived words

coconstrain constrainable constrainer constrainingly constrainment constraintive overconstrain unconstrain unconstraining
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