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constraining

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
con·strain  (kn-strn)
tr.v. con·strained, con·strain·ing, con·strains
1. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige: felt constrained to object. See Synonyms at force.
2. To keep within close bounds; confine: a life that had been constrained by habit to the same few activities and friends.
3. To inhibit or restrain; hold back: "Failing to control the growth of international debt will also constrain living standards" (Ronald Brownstein).
4. To produce in a forced or inhibited manner.

[Middle English constreinen, from Old French constraindre, constraign-, from Latin cnstringere, to restrain, compress : com-, com- + stringere, to bind, press together; see streig- in Indo-European roots.]

con·straina·ble adj.
con·strained·ly (-strnd-l) adv.
con·strainer n.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.constraining - restricting the scope or freedom of action
restrictive - serving to restrict; "teenagers eager to escape restrictive home environments"


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But I shall watch over his welfare as if he were my own beloved brother; nor do I at all despair, my dear cousin, of constraining both him and you to acknowledge your injustice.
I describe everything exactly as it took place, constraining my mind not to wander from the task.
Yes, he said;--necessity, not geometrical, but another sort of necessity which lovers know, and which is far more convincing and constraining to the mass of mankind.
 
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