Constrain — Defs

01 v. t. To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe.

imp. & p. p. Constrained; p. pr. & vb. n. Constraining

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 Cæsar.” — Acts xxviii. 19.
5.
To violate; to ravish.[Obs.]
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.