strain

I

[[t]streɪn[/t]]

v. t.

1) to draw tight; make taut:

to strain a rope[/ex]

2) to exert to the utmost:

to strain one's reach[/ex]

3) to injure (a muscle, tendon, etc.) by stretching or overexertion

4) to cause mechanical deformation in by stress

5) to stretch beyond the proper limit:

to strain the meaning of a word[/ex]

6) to make excessive demands upon:

to strain one's resources[/ex]

7) to cause to pass through a strainer

8) to draw off by means of a strainer:

to strain the water from spinach[/ex]

9) to pull forcibly:

a dog straining at a leash[/ex]

10) to make strenuous efforts; exert oneself

11) to resist forcefully; balk

12) to undergo strain

13) to filter, percolate, or ooze

14) any force or pressure tending to alter shape, cause a fracture, etc

15) strong muscular or physical effort

16) great effort in pursuit of a goal

17) an injury to a muscle, tendon, etc., due to excessive tension or use; sprain

18) mec phs deformation of a solid body or structure in response to application of a force

19) condition of being strained or stretched

20) severe or fatiguing pressure:

the strain of hard work[/ex]

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Etymology: 1250–1300; ME streinen (v.) < OF estrein-, s. of estreindre to press tightly, grip < L stringere to bind, tie II

strain

[[t]streɪn[/t]] n.

1) gen the body of descendants of a common ancestor, as a family or stock

2) gen any of the different lines of ancestry united in a family or an individual

3) gen agr. ahb. bot an artificial variety of a species of domestic animal or cultivated plant

4) mcr a variety, esp. of microorganisms

5) gen ancestry or descent

6) med hereditary or natural character, tendency, or trait:

a strain of insanity in a family[/ex]

7) a streak or trace

8) a kind or sort

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Etymology: bef. 950; ME strene, OE gestrēon presumably, begetting, generation, c. OOHGgistriuni III

strain

[[t]streɪn[/t]] n.

1) a flow or burst of language, eloquence, etc.:

the lofty strain of Cicero[/ex]

2) mad a melody; tune

3) pro a passage or piece of poetry

4) lit. a pervading style; spirit:

a humorous strain[/ex]

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Etymology: 1555–65; cf. obs. strainto play (an instrument), use (one's voice) in singing