strain
strain /ˈstreɪn/
noun
-
(
)
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
(
strain
)
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
The heavy load placed a strain on the bridge's support structure.
The heavy load placed a strain on the bridge's support structure.
-
()
A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
(
air
, line
, melodic line
, melodic phrase
, melody
, strain
, tune
)
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
She was humming an air from Beethoven
she was humming an air from Beethoven
-
()
Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension
(
stress
, strain
)
difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension
She endured the stresses and strains of life
she endured the stresses and strains of life
He presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
he presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
-
()
A special variety of domesticated animals within a species
(
breed
, stock
, strain
)
a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
He experimented on a particular breed of white rats
he experimented on a particular breed of white rats
He created a new strain of sheep
he created a new strain of sheep
-
()
(psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
(
mental strain
, nervous strain
, strain
)
(psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
His responsibilities were a constant strain
his responsibilities were a constant strain
The mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
-
()
(biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
(
variant
, form
, strain
, var.
)
(biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
A new strain of microorganisms
a new strain of microorganisms
-
The act of singing
(
strain
, song
)
the act of singing
With a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
-
An intense or violent exertion
(
strain
, straining
)
an intense or violent exertion
-
An effortful attempt to attain a goal
(
nisus
, strain
, striving
, pains
)
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
She went to great pains to plan the perfect surprise party.
She went to great pains to plan the perfect surprise party.
-
The general meaning or substance of an utterance
(
strain
, tenor
)
the general meaning or substance of an utterance
Although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
-
Injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain
(
strain
)
injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain
verb
-
()
To exert much effort or energy
(
reach
, strain
, strive
)
to exert much effort or energy
Straining our ears to hear
straining our ears to hear
-
()
Use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
(
extend
, strain
)
use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
Don't strain your mind too much
Don't strain your mind too much
-
()
Test the limits of
(
stress
, try
, strain
)
test the limits of
You are trying my patience!
You are trying my patience!
-
()
Cause to be tense and uneasy, nervous or anxious
(
tense
, tense up
, strain
)
cause to be tense and uneasy, nervous or anxious
He got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
-
()
Separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
(
sieve
, sift
, strain
)
separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
Sift the flour
sift the flour
-
Alter the shape of (something) by stress
(
deform
, distort
, strain
)
alter the shape of (something) by stress
His body was deformed by leprosy
His body was deformed by leprosy
-
(cooking) rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
(
puree
, strain
, purée
)
(cooking) rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
Puree the vegetables for the baby
puree the vegetables for the baby
-
Remove by passing through a filter
(
filter out
, filtrate
, strain
, filter
, separate out
)
remove by passing through a filter
Filter out the impurities
filter out the impurities
-
Become stretched, tense or taut
(
strain
, tense
)
become stretched, tense or taut
The bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
The rope strained when the weight was attached
the rope strained when the weight was attached
