Constrain \Con*strain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Constrained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Constraining}.] [OF. constraindre, F. contrainde, L. constringere; con- + stringere to draw tight. See {Strain}, and. cf. {Constrict}, {Constringe}.] 1. To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe.
He binds in chains The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains. --Dryden.
When winter frosts constrain the fields with cold. --Dryden.
2. To bring into a narrow compass; to compress.
How the strait stays the slender waist constrain. --Gay.
3. To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress.
My sire in caves constrains the winds. --Dryden.
4. To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige.
The love of Christ constraineth us. --2. Cor. v. 14.
I was constrained to appeal unto C[ae]sar. --Acts xxviii. 19.
5. To violate; to ravish. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effect; as, a constrained voice.
Syn: To compel; force; drive; impel; urge; press.
The party must reposition itself as one concerned not to constrain but to promote individual opportunity by reawakening faith in the notion of society.
The CBI said these were the weakest price expectations in a March survey since 1975. 'Intense competition is continuing to constrain price increases,' Mr Wigglesworth said.
There is thus little to constrain their ambitions.
The findings "suggest that high-level moral appeals made to people when they are sober will not constrain their behavior when they are drunk," they conclude.
Additional buying was spurred by Agriculture Secretary Clayton Yeutter's statement Monday that an agricultural trade agreement reached over the weekend would not constrain U.S. spending to subsidize export sales.
Mr. Lee's government also has managed to constrain political dissent.
What really matters is that a sluggish recovery will constrain either party in government.
In fact, the fundamental real estate problem may be to constrain the enthusiasm of participants.
The withdrawal of the offering won't constrain King World's ability to develop new television shows, said Mr. Epstein.
Aside from its social agenda, Florida, like many states, has a compelling financial need: to constrain rising nursing-home costs.
It is a case that Labour has yet to make convincingly. The exchange rate mechanism will constrain the ambitions of whichever party is elected, assuming their resistance to devaluation is sustained.
Its emphasis on improving customer service may constrain growth this year but should begin to pay dividends next year.
All our economies are burdened by structural rigidities that constrain our potential growth rates. We need to encourage competition.
'It is clear the Syrians, if they want, are able to influence the Lebanese government to constrain the activities of Hizbollah,' said Gen Ehud Barak, Israeli army chief.
Such alliances could cloud his efforts to project a clean-cut, modern image, and may constrain his freedom to act if he wins the election. Mr Zedillo's most powerful ally is Mr Carlos Hank Gonzalez, the 66-year-old agriculture minister.
The Iran-arms/contra affair raises the issue of whether Congress can legitimately pass laws to constrain the president from defending the nation.