Definitions of strain in various dictionaries:
noun -
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
noun -
difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension
noun -
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
noun -
(psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
noun -
a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
noun -
injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse)
noun -
the general meaning or substance of an utterance
noun -
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
noun -
an intense or violent exertion
noun -
the act of singing
verb -
to exert much effort or energy
verb -
test the limits of
verb -
use to the utmost
verb -
separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
verb -
cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
verb -
become stretched or tense or taut
verb -
remove by passing through a filter
verb -
rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
verb -
alter the shape of (something) by stress
To pull, draw, or stretch tight: strained the sheets over the bed.
To exert or tax to the utmost: straining our ears to hear.
To injure or impair by overuse or overexertion; wrench: strain a muscle.
To stretch or force beyond the proper or legitimate limit: strain a point.
To alter (the relations between the parts of a structure or shape) by applying an external force; deform.
To pass (gravy, for example) through a filtering agent such as a strainer.
To draw off or remove by filtration: strained the pulp from the juice.
To embrace or clasp tightly; hug.
To make violent or steady efforts; strive hard: straining to reach the finish line.
To be or become wrenched or twisted.
To be subjected to great stress.
To pull forcibly or violently: The dog strained at its leash.
To stretch or exert one’s muscles or nerves to the utmost.
To filter, trickle, or ooze.
To be extremely hesitant; balk: a mule that strained at the lead.
The act of straining.
The state of being strained.
Extreme or laborious effort, exertion, or work.
A great or excessive pressure, demand, or stress on one’s body, mind, or resources: the strain of managing both a family and a career.
A wrench, twist, or other physical injury resulting from excessive tension, effort, or use.
A deformation produced by stress.
An exceptional degree or pitch: a strain of zealous idealism.
The collective descendants of a common ancestor; a race, stock, line, or breed.
Any of the various lines of ancestry united in an individual or a family; ancestry or lineage.
A group of organisms of the same species, having distinctive characteristics but not usually considered a separate breed or variety: a superior strain of wheat; a smooth strain of bacteria.
An artificial variety of a domestic animal or cultivated plant.
A kind or sort: imaginings of a morbid strain.
An inborn or inherited tendency or character.
A streak; a trace.
The tone, tenor, or substance of a verb al utterance or of a particular action or behavior: spoke in a passionate strain.
A prevailing quality, as of attitude or behavior.
A passage of expression; a tune or an air: melodic strains of the violin.
A passage of poetic and especially lyrical expression.
An outburst or a flow of eloquent or impassioned language.
verb - to exert to the utmost