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constrain (v.)
"to exert force, physical or moral, upon, either in urging to action or restraining from it," early 14c., constreyen, from stem of Old French constreindre (Modern French contraindre) "restrain, control," from Latin constringere "to bind together, tie tightly, fetter, shackle, chain," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see con-) + stringere "to draw tight" (see strain (v.)). Related: Constrained; constraining.
updated on March 10, 2018
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Dictionary entries near constrain
constitution
constitutional
constitutionalism
constitutionality
constitutive
constrain
constraint
constrict
constriction
constrictive
constrictor