(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
an intense or violent exertion
[ Syn: straining ]
the act of singing; with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
[ Syn: song ]
difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension; she endured the stresses and strains of life; he presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger- R.J.Samuelson
[ Syn: stress ]
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; she was humming an air from Beethoven
[ Syn: tune , melody , air , melodic line , line , melodic phrase ]
(psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress; his responsibilities were a constant strain; the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
[ Syn: mental strain , nervous strain ]
a special variety of domesticated animals within a species; he experimented on a particular breed of white rats; he created a new strain of sheep
(biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups; a new strain of microorganisms
injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain
the general meaning or substance of an utterance; although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
[ Syn: tenor ]
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
strain (n.)
to exert much effort or energy; straining our ears to hear
test the limits of; You are trying my patience!
use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity; He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro; Dont strain your mind too much
[ Syn: extend ]
separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements; sift the flour
cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
become stretched or tense or taut; the bodybuilders neck muscles tensed; the rope strained when the weight was attached
[ Syn: tense ]
remove by passing through a filter; filter out the impurities
[ Syn: filter , filtrate , separate out , filter out ]
rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender; puree the vegetables for the baby
[ Syn: puree ]
alter the shape of (something) by stress; His body was deformed by leprosy