Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,802,424,735 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

constraint

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
con·straint  (kn-strnt)
n.
1. The threat or use of force to prevent, restrict, or dictate the action or thought of others.
2. The state of being restricted or confined within prescribed bounds: soon tired of the constraint of military life.
3. One that restricts, limits, or regulates; a check: ignored all moral constraints in his pursuit of success.
4. Embarrassed reserve or reticence; awkwardness: "All constraint had vanished between the two, and they began to talk" (Edith Wharton).

[Middle English constreinte, from Old French, from feminine past participle of constraindre, to constrain; see constrain.]

constraint [kənˈstreɪnt]
n
1. compulsion, force, or restraint
2. repression or control of natural feelings or impulses
3. a forced unnatural manner; inhibition
4. something that serves to constrain; restrictive condition social constraints kept him silent
5. (Linguistics / Grammar) Linguistics any very general restriction on a sentence formation rule
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.constraintconstraint - the state of being physically constrained; "dogs should be kept under restraint"
confinement - the state of being confined; "he was held in confinement"
cage - something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement
2.constraint - a device that retards something's motion; "the car did not have proper restraints fitted"
air bag - a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward
airbrake, dive brake - a small parachute or articulated flap to reduce the speed of an aircraft
arrester, arrester hook - a restraint that slows airplanes as they land on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier
band - a restraint put around something to hold it together
brake - a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle
brake - anything that slows or hinders a process; "she wan not ready to put the brakes on her life with a marriage"; "new legislation will put the brakes on spending"
brake pad - one of the pads that apply friction to both sides of the brake disk
brake shoe, skid, shoe - a restraint provided when the brake linings are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to retard the wheel's rotation
catch, stop - a restraint that checks the motion of something; "he used a book as a stop to hold the door open"
chain - anything that acts as a restraint
device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water"
fastening, holdfast, fastener, fixing - restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
gag, muzzle - restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
leash, tether, lead - restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
ignition lock, lock - a restraint incorporated into the ignition switch to prevent the use of a vehicle by persons who do not have the key
muzzle - a leather or wire restraint that fits over an animal's snout (especially a dog's nose and jaws) and prevents it from eating or biting
life belt, safety belt, safety harness - belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt
sea anchor, drogue - restraint consisting of a canvas covered frame that floats behind a vessel; prevents drifting or maintains the heading into a wind
hamper, shackle, trammel, bond - a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
trammel - a restraint that is used to teach a horse to amble
3.constraint - the act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others
restriction, confinement - the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary); "the restriction of the infection to a focal area"
swaddling clothes - restrictions placed on the immature

constraint
noun
1. restriction, limitation, curb, rein, deterrent, hindrance, damper, check Their decision to abandon the trip was made because of financial constraints.
2. force, pressure, necessity, restraint, compulsion, coercion People are not morally responsible for that which they do under constraint or compulsion.
3. repression, reservation, embarrassment, restraint, inhibition, timidity, diffidence, bashfulness She feels no constraint in discussing sexual matters.
Translations
constraint [kənˈstreɪnt] N
1. (= compulsion) → coacción f, fuerza f
under constraintobligado(a ello)
2. (= limit) → restricción f
budgetary constraintsrestricciones presupuestarias
3. (= restraint) → reserva f, cohibición f
to feel a certain constraintsentirse algo cohibido
constraint [kənˈstreɪnt] n
(= restriction) → contrainte f
(= embarrassment) → gêne f
constraint
n
(= compulsion)Zwang m
(= restriction)Beschränkung f, → Einschränkung f; to place constraints on somethingeiner Sache (dat)Zwänge auferlegen
(in manner etc) → Gezwungenheit f; (= embarrassment)Befangenheit f
constraint [kənˈstreɪnt] n no pl (compulsion) → costrizione f; (restraint) → limitazione f; (embarrassment) → imbarazzo, soggezione f
constraint [kənˈstreɪnt] n no pl (compulsion) → costrizione f; (restraint) → limitazione f; (embarrassment) → imbarazzo, soggezione f


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
All constraint had vanished between the two, and they began to talk easily and simply.
I understood but too well the change in her manner, to greater kindness and quicker readiness in interpreting all my wishes, before others--to constraint and sadness, and nervous anxiety to absorb herself in the first occupation she could seize on, whenever we happened to be left together alone.
And they are not to found otherwise, because men will always prove untrue to you unless they are kept honest by constraint.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.