v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Constrained p. pr. & vb. n. Constraining. ] [ OF. constraindre, F. contrainde, L. constringere; con- + stringere to draw tight. See Strain, and. cf. Constrict, Constringe. ] 1. To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe. [ 1913 Webster ]

He binds in chains
The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

When winter frosts constrain the fields with cold. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bring into a narrow compass; to compress. [ 1913 Webster ]

How the strait stays the slender waist constrain. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress. [ 1913 Webster ]

My sire in caves constrains the winds. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige. [ 1913 Webster ]

The love of Christ constraineth us. 2. Cor. v. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar. Acts xxviii. 19. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To violate; to ravish. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effect; as, a constrained voice.

Syn. -- To compel; force; drive; impel; urge; press. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. OF. constraignable, F. contraignable. ] Capable of being constrained; liable to constraint, or to restraint. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Marked by constraint; not free; not voluntary; embarrassed; as, a constrained manner; a constrained tone. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By constraint or compulsion; in a constrained manner. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who constrains. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. constrainte, F. constrainte. ] The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Long imprisonment and hard constraint. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not by constraint, but by my choice, I came. Dryden.

Syn. -- Compulsion; violence; necessity; urgency. -- Constraint, Compulsion. Constraint implies strong binding force; as, the constraint of necessity; the constraint of fear. Compulsion implies the exertion of some urgent impelling force; as, driven by compulsion. The former prevents us from acting agreeably to our wishes; the latter forces us to act contrary to our will. Compulsion is always produced by some active agent; a constraint may be laid upon us by the forms of civil society, or by other outward circumstances. Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Constraining; compulsory. [ R. ] “Any constraintive vow.” R. Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]