straining

Noun · Adjective

Synonyms: strain distortion overrefinement torture twisting arduous strenuous

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

an intense or violent exertionSynonyms: strain
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to meanSynonyms: distortion overrefinement torture twisting

Adjective (1)

taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance“his final, straining burst of speed”“a strenuous task”“your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here — F.D.Roosevelt”Synonyms: arduous strenuous

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Strain \Strain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strained; p. pr. & vb. n. Straining.] [OF. estraindre, estreindre, F. ['e]treindre, L. stringere to draw or bind tight; probably akin to Gr. ? a halter, ? that which is squeezwd out, a drop, or perhaps to E. strike. Cf. Strangle, Strike, Constrain, District, Strait, a. Stress, Strict, Stringent.]

1.To draw with force; to extend with great effort; to stretch; as, to strain a rope; to strain the shrouds of a ship; to strain the cords of a musical instrument. "To strain his fetters with a stricter care." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2.(Mech.) To act upon, in any way, so as to cause change of form or volume, as forces on a beam to bend it. [1913 Webster]

3.To exert to the utmost; to ply vigorously. [1913 Webster]

He sweats, Strains his young nerves.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

They strain their warbling throats To welcome in the spring.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.To stretch beyond its proper limit; to do violence to, in the matter of intent or meaning; as, to strain the law in order to convict an accused person. [1913 Webster]

There can be no other meaning in this expression, however some may pretend to strain it.— Swift.[1913 Webster]

5.To injure by drawing, stretching, or the exertion of force; as, the gale strained the timbers of the ship. [1913 Webster]

6.To injure in the muscles or joints by causing to make too strong an effort; to harm by overexertion; to sprain; as, to strain a horse by overloading; to strain the wrist; to strain a muscle. [1913 Webster]

Prudes decayed about may track, Strain their necks with looking back.— Swift.[1913 Webster]

7.To squeeze; to press closely. [1913 Webster]

Evander with a close embrace Strained his departing friend.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

8.To make uneasy or unnatural; to produce with apparent effort; to force; to constrain. [1913 Webster]

He talks and plays with Fatima, but his mirth Is forced and strained.— Denham.[1913 Webster]

The quality of mercy is not strained.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

9.To urge with importunity; to press; as, to strain a petition or invitation. [1913 Webster]

Note, if your lady strain his entertainment.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

10.To press, or cause to pass, through a strainer, as through a screen, a cloth, or some porous substance; to purify, or separate from extraneous or solid matter, by filtration; to filter; as, to strain milk through cloth. [1913 Webster]

To strain a point, to make a special effort; especially, to do a degree of violence to some principle or to one's own feelings.

To strain courtesy, to go beyond what courtesy requires; to insist somewhat too much upon the precedence of others; -- often used ironically. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Straining \Strain"ing\, a. & n. from Strain. [1913 Webster]

Straining piece (Arch.), a short piece of timber in a truss, used to maintain the ends of struts or rafters, and keep them from slipping. See Illust. of Queen-post. [1913 Webster]