WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
re-strain
(rē strān′),USA pronunciation v.t., v.i.
re•strain (ri strān′),USA pronunciation v.t.
re•strain′a•ble, adj.
re•strain′a•bil′i•ty, n.
re•strain′ing•ly, adv.
- to strain again.
- re- + strain1 1870–75
re•strain (ri strān′),USA pronunciation v.t.
- to hold back from action;
keep in check or under control;
repress:to restrain one's temper. - to deprive of liberty, as by arrest or the like.
- to limit or hamper the activity, growth, or effect of:to restrain trade with Cuba.
- Latin restringere to bind back, bind fast, equivalent. to re- re- + stringere to draw together; see strain1
- Middle French restreindre
- Middle English restreynen 1350–1400
re•strain′a•bil′i•ty, n.
re•strain′ing•ly, adv.
- 1. bridle, suppress, constrain. See check. 2. restrict, circumscribe, confine, hinder, hamper.
- 1. unbridle. 2. free, liberate.