Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-STRAIN', v.t. [Fr. contraindre; It. constrignere, or costringere; Sp. constreñir; Port. constringir; from L. constringo; con and stringo, to strain, to bind. See Strain. In a general sense, to strain; to press; to urge; to drive; to exert force, physical or moral, either in urging to action or in restraining it. Hence,]

1. To compel or force; to urge with irresistible power, or with a power sufficient to produce the effect. The spirit within me constrained me. – Job xxxii. I was constrained to appeal to Cesar. – Acts xxviii. For the love of Christ constraineth us. 2 Cor. v.
2. To confine by force; to restrain from escape or action; to repress. My sire in caves constrains the winds. – Dryden.
3. To hold by force; to press; to confine. How the strait stays the slender waist constrain. – Gay.
4. To constringe; to bind. When winter frosts constrain the field with cold. – Dryden.
5. To tie fast; to bind; to chain; to confine. He binds in chains / The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains. – Dryden.
6. To necessitate. Did fate or we the adulterous act constrain? – Pope.
7. To force; to ravish. [Not used.] – Shak.
8. To produce in opposition to nature; as, a constrained voice; constrained notes. – Waller.