English dictionary



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English noun: strain

1. strain (phenomenon) (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces


Broader (hypernym)deformation


Narrower (hyponym)overstrain


Domain categorynatural philosophy, physics

2. strain (state) difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension


SamplesShe endured the stresses and strains of life.
He presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger.


Synonymsstress


Broader (hypernym)difficulty

3. strain (communication) a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence


SamplesShe was humming an air from Beethoven.


Synonymsair, line, melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, tune


Broader (hypernym)music


Narrower (hyponym)fanfare, flourish, glissando, idea, leitmotif, leitmotiv, melodic theme, musical theme, part, roulade, signature, signature tune, theme, theme song, theme song, tucket, voice


Part holonymmusical phrase, phrase

4. strain (state) (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress


SamplesHis responsibilities were a constant strain.
The mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him.


Synonymsmental strain, nervous strain


Broader (hypernym)nerves, nervousness


Narrower (hyponym)stress, tenseness, tension


Domain categorypsychological science, psychology

5. strain (group) a special variety of domesticated animals within a species


SamplesHe experimented on a particular breed of white rats.
He created a new strain of sheep.


Synonymsbreed, stock


Broader (hypernym)animal group, variety


Narrower (hyponym)bloodstock, pedigree


Member meronymspecies

6. strain (group) (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups


SamplesA new strain of microorganisms.


Synonymsform, var., variant


Broader (hypernym)taxon, taxonomic category, taxonomic group


Member meronymspecies


Domain categorybiological science, biology

7. strain (state) injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain


Broader (hypernym)harm, hurt, injury, trauma

8. strain (cognition) the general meaning or substance of an utterance


SamplesAlthough I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument.


Synonymstenor


Broader (hypernym)meaning, substance


Narrower (hyponym)drift, purport

9. strain (act) an effortful attempt to attain a goal


Synonymsnisus, pains, striving


Broader (hypernym)attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try


Narrower (hyponym)jehad, jihad

10. strain (act) an intense or violent exertion


Synonymsstraining


Broader (hypernym)effort, elbow grease, exertion, sweat, travail

11. strain (act) the act of singing


SamplesWith a shout and a song they marched up to the gates.


Synonymssong


Broader (hypernym)vocal music


Narrower (hyponym)carol, cradlesong, lullaby


English verb: strain

1. strain (competition) to exert much effort or energy


SamplesStraining our ears to hear.


Synonymsreach, strive


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)drive, labor, labour, push, tug


Narrower (hyponym)bother, extend oneself, inconvenience oneself, kill oneself, overexert oneself, trouble, trouble oneself

2. strain (emotion) test the limits of


SamplesYou are trying my patience!.


Synonymsstress, try


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)afflict


Narrower (hyponym)rack

3. strain (consumption) use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity


SamplesHe really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro.
Don't strain your mind too much.


Synonymsextend


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize


Narrower (hyponym)overextend, overstrain, task, tax

4. strain (contact) separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements


SamplesSift the flour.


Synonymssieve, sift


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)separate


Narrower (hyponym)fan, resift, rice, riddle, screen, winnow

5. strain (body) cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious


SamplesHe got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up.


Synonymstense, tense up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)affect


Narrower (hyponym)extend, stretch


Causetense, tense up


Antonymsmake relaxed, unlax, unstrain, relax, unwind, loosen up

6. strain (contact) become stretched or tense or taut


SamplesThe bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;.
The rope strained when the weight was attached.


Synonymstense


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)tighten

7. strain (contact) remove by passing through a filter


SamplesFilter out the impurities.


Synonymsfilter, filter out, filtrate, separate out


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)separate

8. strain (contact) rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender


SamplesPuree the vegetables for the baby.


Synonymspuree


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)rub


Domain categorycookery, cooking, preparation

9. strain (change) alter the shape of (something) by stress


SamplesHis body was deformed by leprosy.


Synonymsdeform, distort


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)form, shape


Narrower (hyponym)jaundice









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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