strain1 nounstrain2 verb
strainstrain1 /streɪn/ ●●○ W3 noun 
WORD ORIGINstrain1
Origin:
1-4 1500-1600 ➔ STRAIN25-8 Old English streon ‘gain’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a back strain
- A particularly hardy strain of the virus can make you ill for over a week.
- A pure-bred strain of barley is required in the production of this whisky.
- eye strain
- He could see the strain in her face as she told him what she was going through.
- He had trouble handling the strain of raising eight kids.
- She had a busy week, and she's under a lot of strain at the moment.
- The strain of managing such a huge company became too much for Anita.
- The strain was beginning to show in their friendship.
- The company wanted 110% commitment, and that put a strain on our marriage.
- The legal fight has been an enormous strain on my wife.
- The rope is capable of bearing a strain of three tons.
- Argyle player-manager Shilton ruled himself out of the hiding-to-nothing trip with a groin strain.
- As she describes the irritating eye strain, Estrada laughs self consciously.
- Asthma / bronchitis claims jump 75 %; sprains / strains are 34. 6 % higher.
- Both of the positive control strains adhered strongly to HEp-2 cells.
- He is putting his body under unbelievable strain, which is fine when he is 26.
- Some had been finding work a strain and early retirement came as a relief.
- Such efforts put heavy strains on the financial and human resources of the organization.
- They also needed to determine the genetic sequence of the virus so that they could compare it with known herpes strains.
THESAURUS
damage to part of your body caused by an accident or an attack: · The passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
an injury, especially a deep cut in your skin made by a knife, bullet, or bomb: · He died of a gunshot wound to the head.
a small injury made when a sharp object cuts your skin: · Blood was running from a cut on his chin.
a dark mark on your skin that you get when you fall or get hit: · Jack often comes home from playing rugby covered in bruises.
a small injury that marks your skin or breaks the surface slightly: · She fell off her bike and got a few grazes on her legs and knees.
a long deep cut: · He had a deep gash across his forehead.
an area of skin that is swollen because you have hit it against something: · How did you get that bump on your head?
an injury to your ankle, wrist, knee etc, caused by suddenly twisting it: · It’s a slight sprain – you should rest your ankle for a week.
an injury to a muscle caused by stretching it or using it too much: · a muscle strain in his neck
a crack or broken part in a bone: · a hip fracture
Longman Language Activatora type of plant or animal a group of animals or plants that are all similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants of the same type: species of: · There are over forty species of bird living on the island.· Scientists have discovered a new species of Eucalyptus tree.endangered species (=one that might not exist for much longer): · The giant panda is an endangered species. There are fewer than a thousand living in the wild.
a type of animal, especially one that has been developed by man, such as a dog, cat, or a farm animal: · Most dairy herds today are of Friesian or Holstein breeds.breed of: · What breed of dog is that? I've never seen one like it before.· It's a very unusual breed of goat, dating back to the time of Cleopatra.
a type of plant or animal that is different from another similar type: · South American growers use the best US seed varieties.variety of: · This is a new variety of apple; we're selling it for the first time.· It may be possible to create varieties of fish that have resistance to common diseases.
a type of plant, animal, bacteria etc that has one particular feature that makes it different from others of the same type - use this in scientific or technical contexts: strain of: · A pure-bred strain of barley is required in the production of this whisky.· A particularly hardy strain of the virus can make you ill for over a week.
the feeling of being worried · The meningitis outbreak is a major cause of worry at the moment.· The rage and disappointment had disappeared, but the worry in Jim's face was starting to show.worry over/about · This constant worry about your debts isn't doing you any good at all.be sick with worry · The poor mother was sick with worry over her missing daughter.
the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: · Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.· methods for reducing stress· Air travelers can enjoy stress-free trips if they follow a few guidelines.stress of: · The city's many parks offer a comforting relief from the stress of modern life.mental/emotional/psychological stress: · Geoff is having trouble dealing with the emotional stress of his recent divorce.stress-related illnesses/disorders/conditions etc (=illnesses, conditions etc caused by stress): · His wife has also suffered stress-related health problems.be under stress (=be feeling stress): · She had been under a lot of stress just before the baby was born.· Workers are under such stress right now, and they have less time to spend relaxing with their families.
a worried feeling - use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: · The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.concern about/over: · There is also some concern about the safety of the structure.express/voice concern: · I did voice my concern about the financial management, but was told to stay quiet. deep/grave concern: · This is a matter of grave concern to the hospital management.
the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation: · I knew I had to give a speech, but the thought filled me with anxiety.· feelings of guilt and anxiety· The increase in the tax on heating fuel is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.anxiety about: · Her anxiety about the pain of childbirth is understandable.
a feeling of being worried that is caused by having to continuously deal with a difficult problem or having to work very hard for a long period of time: · The strain of managing such a huge company became too much for Anita.· He could see the strain in her face as she told him what she was going through.be a strain on: · The legal fight has been an enormous strain on my wife. put (a) strain on something: · The company wanted 110% commitment, and that put a strain on our marriage.be under strain: · She had a busy week, and she's under a lot of strain at the moment.
a strong feeling of worry and anxiety, especially about things that you cannot change: · Wallowing in angst about the unfairness of it all will just make the problem worse.· a period of national angst· a touching story of teenage angst
to feel worried all the time to have a lot of problems to worry about, especially when this means that you do not concentrate on other things: · Since the divorce, Linda's had a lot on her mind.· I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, I have a lot on my mind at the moment.
to have a lot of work to do or have a lot of problems to deal with, so that you feel worried and tired or get upset easily: · Although I was under a strain, and drinking a lot at the time, I remember very clearly what happened.· This investigation has placed her under additional stress.be under a lot of stress/strain: · Mr Payne, have you been under a lot of stress recently?
informal so worried and tired from problems you have to deal with continuously that you cannot relax: · By the end of the tour, the band was totally stressed out.· One of my adult students was a stressed-out working mother.feel stressed out: · I'm trying to have a few early nights because I'm feeling stressed out at the moment.
worrying so much about a particular problem that you cannot think about anything else: · I admit I'm preoccupied and snappy at the moment -- I'm sorry.· Alison had entered the room, but he was too preoccupied to notice.look/seem preoccupied: · She seemed preoccupied and kept glancing toward the window.preoccupied look/expression etc: · Prajapat glanced up with a preoccupied smile, then went back to the map.preoccupied with: · He was far too preoccupied with his own marital difficulties to give any thought to his friend's problems.
someone who is paranoid is worried all the time that people do not like them, that bad things are going to happen to them etc, when this is not true: · I was so paranoid at one point, that I was refusing to answer the door.feel paranoid: · The mysterious phone calls were beginning to make him feel paranoid.paranoid about: · By 1982, he was so paranoid about his health that he wore plastic gloves at all times.
something that makes you feel worried · It's important that children can discuss their worries with their parents.· His remarks reflect a widespread worry that Canada may be going the same way as the US.worry about/over · Worries about the tire company's performance sent its shares tumbling.· The launch was delayed because of worries over protestors.greatest/biggest/main etc worry · Roosevelt's chief worry at the time was that an attack on Britain would put the US at a strategic disadvantage.
a situation that makes you feel worried, especially a problem that affects a lot of people, but that may not affect you personally: · The hospital's main concern is that doctors are overworked.· The survey suggests that rising crime is the top of the average American's concerns. concern about/over: · My only concern about the match is that Price will be fit enough to take part.· The committee brushed aside concerns about racism and prejudice in local government.raise concerns (=cause concerns): · The incident has raised concerns that the government may retaliate.
all the things in a job or situation that make you feel worried and tired, especially when your work or life is very difficult: · Despite many stresses and strains, the team has held together, and I'm proud of that.stresses and strains of: · the stresses and strains of modern living· Do some gentle exercises to relieve the stresses and strains of your day.
informal if you have a hang-up about something, for example your appearance, or your relationships with other people, you feel worried and embarrassed about it, and this makes you feel less confident: · I want the children to understand sex and grow up without any hang-ups.have a hang-up about: · Sarah has a hang-up about her nose -- she thinks it's too big.· They're just ordinary people with all the usual hang-ups about love.
written problems or responsibilities in your life that make you worry: · She was not really ready for the cares and responsibilities of running a family.· 'Forget all your cares and worries', as the song goes.
WORD SETSaerobic, adjectiveafterbirth, nounalgae, nounalimentary canal, nounamber, nounameba, nounamino acid, nounamoeba, nounanaconda, nounanaerobic, adjectiveandrogynous, adjectiveantibody, nounantigen, nounantitoxin, nounappendage, nounarm, nounarmour, nounasexual, adjectiveassimilation, nounatrophy, verbaviary, nounbacteria, nounbacteriology, nounbarnacle, nounbile, nounbinocular vision, nounbio-, prefixbiochemistry, nounbiodegradable, adjectivebiodiversity, nounbiohazard, nounbiological, adjectivebiological clock, nounbiology, nounbiomass, nounbiome, nounbiosphere, nounblind, nounbrain, nounbreathe, verbbreed, verbbreed, nounbreeding, nounbristle, nounbulb, nouncapsule, nouncarbohydrate, nouncarbon dioxide, nouncarnivore, nouncell, nouncellular, adjectivecellulose, nouncentral nervous system, nouncervical, adjectivecholesterol, nounchromosome, nouncirculation, nouncirculatory, adjectiveclass, nounclone, nouncold-blooded, adjectiveconceive, verbconch, nounconnective tissue, nouncopulate, verbcoral reef, nouncornea, nouncoronary, adjectivecorpuscle, nouncortex, nouncortisone, nouncowrie, nouncrab, nouncrawfish, nouncrayfish, nouncreature, nouncross, verbcrossbreed, nounculture, nouncytoplasm, noundecay, verbdecay, noundecompose, verbdefecate, verbdenizen, noundextrose, noundiaphragm, noundigest, verbdigestion, noundigestive, adjectiveDNA, noundorsal, adjectivedry rot, nounduct, noundwarf, noundwarf, adjectiveecological, adjectiveecology, nounecosystem, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbembryo, nounembryonic, adjectiveenzyme, nounepidermis, nounevolution, nounevolutionary, adjectiveexcrement, nounexcrescence, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexhale, verbexoskeleton, nounextinction, nounfaeces, nounfamily, nounfang, nounfat, nounfatty acid, nounfauna, nounfeces, nounfeed, verbfemale, adjectivefemale, nounferment, verbferment, nounfertile, adjectivefertility, nounfertilize, verbfission, nounflank, nounflatulence, nounflesh, nounfleshy, adjectiveflightless, adjectiveflora, nounfoetal, adjectivefoetus, nounfoliage, nounfossil, nounfreak, nounfreshwater, adjectivefructose, noungamete, nounganglion, noungene, noungene pool, noungenera, genetic, adjectivegenetic code, noungenetic engineering, noungenetic fingerprinting, noungenetics, noungenome, noungenus, noungestation, noungland, nounglandular, adjectiveglucose, noungluten, noungonad, noungrass snake, noungrow, verbgrowth, nounhabitat, nounhaemoglobin, nounhearing, nounheart, nounhemisphere, nounherbivore, nounhereditary, adjectiveheredity, nounhermaphrodite, nounhibernate, verbhistamine, nounhoming, adjectivehormone, nounhost, nounimpregnate, verbimpulse, nounincubate, verbindigenous, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveinfertile, adjectiveinfest, verbingest, verbinhale, verbinseminate, verbinsensate, adjectiveinsulin, nounintegument, nounintercourse, nouninterferon, nounintestine, nouninvertebrate, nouninvoluntary, adjectiveiris, nounjaw, nounjelly, nounkidney, nounkrill, nounlactate, verblactation, nounlactic acid, nounleech, nounleg, nounlesser, adjectivelichen, nounlife, nounlife cycle, nounlife form, nounligament, nounlimb, nounlimpet, nounlipid, nounliver, nounliving fossil, nounlocomotion, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmale, adjectivemale, nounmammal, nounmandible, nounmate, nounmate, verbmembrane, nounmetabolism, nounmetabolize, verbmetamorphosis, nounmicrobe, nounmicrobiology, nounmicroorganism, nounmicroscopic, adjectivemigrate, verbmigratory, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmolar, nounmorphology, nounmotor, adjectivemould, nounmouth, nounmucous membrane, nounmucus, nounmulticellular, adjectivemuscle, nounmuscular, adjectivemutant, nounmutate, verbmutation, nounnatural history, nounnatural selection, nounnature, nounneck, nounnectar, nounnerve, nounnervous, adjectivenervous system, nounneural, adjectiveneuro-, prefixneurology, nounnode, nounnose, nounnostril, nounnucleic acid, nounnucleus, nounnutrient, nounnutriment, nounoesophagus, nounoestrogen, nounolfactory, adjectiveoptic, adjectiveorgan, nounorganic, adjectiveorganic chemistry, nounorganism, nounorifice, nounossify, verbosteo-, prefixoutgrowth, nounova, ovary, nounoverwinter, verboviduct, nounoviparous, adjectiveovulate, verbovum, nounparasite, nounpathogen, nounpedigree, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenile, adjectivepenis, nounpepsin, nounperiod, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphotosynthesis, nounphylum, nounpigment, nounpigmentation, nounplankton, nounplasma, nounpollinate, verbpostnatal, adjectivepregnancy, nounpregnant, adjectivepremature, adjectiveprenatal, adjectiveproduct, nounproliferation, nounpropagate, verbprotein, nounprotoplasm, nounprotozoan, nounpuberty, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulsation, nounputrefy, verbputrid, adjectivered blood cell, nounregurgitate, verbrenal, adjectivereproduce, verbreproduction, nounreproductive, adjectiverespiration, nounrespiratory, adjectiverespire, verbretina, nounroot, nounrot, verbrot, nounruff, nounsac, nounsaliva, nounsalivary gland, nounsalivate, verbsaltwater, adjectivescale, nounscallop, nounscaly, adjectivesebaceous, adjectivesecrete, verbsecretion, nounsemen, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectiveserum, nounsex, nounsex, verbsexless, adjectivesexual intercourse, nounsheath, nounshell, nounsibling, nounskeletal, adjectiveskeleton, nounskin, nounskull, nounspasm, nounspasmodic, adjectivespecies, nounspecimen, nounsperm, nounspiderweb, nounspinal cord, nounspine, nounspineless, adjectivestarch, nounstem cell, nounstimulate, verbstimulus, nounstrain, nounsubject, nounsubspecies, nounsucker, nounsucrose, nounsweat, verbsweat, nounsweat gland, nounsymbiosis, nounsystemic, adjectivetail, nountaxonomy, nounteeth, testosterone, nountest-tube baby, nountissue, nountrachea, nountube, noununicellular, adjectiveurethra, nounuric, adjectiveurinate, verburine, nounvariety, nounvector, nounvein, nounvenom, nounvenomous, adjectiveventricle, nounvertebra, nounvertebrate, nounvivisection, nounwarm-blooded, adjectivewean, verbwildlife, nounwindpipe, nounyolk, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meanings 1 & 2adjectives
A weaker person would have buckled under the weight of criticism. Caring for an elderly relative can become an intolerable burden. Exercise gently and avoid putting yourself under undue strain.
· The country’s health system is under great strain.
· It’s been a terrible strain.
(=too great to bear)· The cost of these wars put an intolerable strain on the economy.
(=too much strain)· How much can you invest without putting any undue strain on your finances?
· She has been suffering from considerable emotional strain.
· This welfare program has eased the financial strain of raising children alone.
verbs· Living with my parents put quite a strain on our marriage.
(=become unable to continue normally because of the strain)· They are worried that the court system might collapse under the strain.
(=make it less)· You can do much to ease the strain of the situation for her.
phrases· Claudia could see that he was under considerable strain.
· Holidays help people to cope with the stresses and strains of life.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=not relaxed)· As soon as I went in, I was aware of the tense atmosphere in the room.
· Mark couldn’t bear the pressure of the job any longer.
A weaker person would have buckled under the weight of criticism. (=seem very difficult to believe) It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet.
It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet. Caring for an elderly relative can become an intolerable burden. (=injure it)· He pulled a muscle in his calf.
(=a lot of different worries that are caused by something)· the stresses and strains of everyday life
Exercise gently and avoid putting yourself under undue strain. (=one type of it)· Doctors fear that a new strain of the virus will appear.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· I had no time to feel sorry for him though because I was under considerable strain myself.· Manipulating this much information puts a considerable strain on the processor's memory and gives you a storage problem to boot!· Should the pill prove too bitter, it will add considerable strain to already tense east-west relations.
· Protoplasts from different strains of plant have been joined, giving rise to a completely new variety blending characteristics from each parent.· As wheat cultivation developed and different strains of wheat became avail-able, the balance tipped away from rye.· Apparently, different strains of the bacterium produce different toxins which are active against a wide range of insects.· Knowing how the bacterium varies its outer coat can help scientists prepare vaccines to combat different strains.· These represent either two 16S rDNA genes in Nasonia Wolbachia or infection by two different bacterial strains.· Sourdough yeast, for instance, is a different strain from other bread yeasts, which accounts for its unique flavor.· Some genetically different strains of rats, for example, differ in their ability to learn to run through mazes.· By planting a different, male-fertile strain among it, the breeders can collect hybrid seed.
· Leaving children behind may put an emotional strain on the family.· She cited its rigorous program and emotional strain.· I am under such a constant mental and emotional strain.· No matter how partners parent, children introduce the kind of emotional strain that can shatter old harmonies and certainties.· This was usually a person undergoing great emotional strain, such as a girl experiencing a particularly traumatic puberty.· Self-victimisation usually occurs when one can not handle the emotional strain that goes with a relationship conflict. 17.· This pantomime went on for some time and, inevitably, the emotional strain brought on a resurgence of his symptoms.· You must not underestimate how much practical, physical and emotional strain this situation creates for you.
· The financial strain upon the Danzigers came from other directions too.· The financial strain of the earlier primary elections means there will not be a television-advertising blitz in California.· Evidence shows that some residential projects are coming under financial strain as money and clients dry up.
· She could tell there was some great strain in him, just from the way he held himself.· This was usually a person undergoing great emotional strain, such as a girl experiencing a particularly traumatic puberty.· For Hammam, running a club with gates dipping below 5,000 has been a great strain.· Advances in commerce and the use of money were placing great strains on the rice-based economy.· The great strain for married couples in modernity is the absurdly high expectation of the marriage bond.· Despite the beauty of Lear's plates, the young artist felt his work for Gould a great strain.· Certainly the Bevanites could claim that rearmament was imposing too great a strain on the economy.· In conformity with the greater strain placed on them, the forequarters show a less angled system for support and braking.
· To accept them all would place an intolerable strain on her health, but she rarely fails to help a charity.· The fund's other trustees had left and he was under an intolerable strain, working more than 12 hours a day.· Suddenly they gave under the intolerable strain, ripped free from their mountings and crashed to the ground.· Is your cabinet under an intolerable strain.
· One of the most remarkable observations concerning the mutant strain was the fact that it appeared very little affected by this mutation.· If a mutant strain appears that eschews recombination, it proves to be especially susceptible to damage by ultraviolet light.· Transcript/srRNA hybridization signal ratios were compared for the wild-type and mutant strains.· The mutant strain appeared in the south of Shetland, just as the council approved the scheme for another year.· Hence, there was an increase in the number of mitochondrial genomes per nuclear genome in the mutant strain.· The possible implications of these results on the mutant strain phenotype are discussed.
· It could not be true that nervous strain made you lose weight.
· Growing in the wild, plants related to our cultivated food crops provide new genetic strains.· Scientists found the new strain in an infant boy after he underwent heart surgery.· Such techniques can greatly accelerate the development and propagation of new and uniform strains and varieties of plant.· At the end of 400 generations, the E. coli bacteria had bred new strains of itself with slightly different genes.· The long-term prospects are also good-the new strain appears to be stable and to stay permanently on teeth.· The outbreak was eventually traced to a new strain of E. coli on hamburger meat.· Clinical trials start this year and Hillman is confident that they will confirm the safety and effectiveness of the new strain.· Over there is our herb garden, and here are some fruit trees, from which we are cultivating a new strain.
· Long-term use has led to the growth of resistant strains.· As drugs kill off the virus most susceptible to them, they leave behind the more resistant strains.· The most effective destroyers of drugs are ordinary enzymes made in huge amounts by resistant strains.· The risk of resistant strains of bacteria developing through complacent use of medicated feeds is high.· More to the point, as resistant strains emerge, the greater becomes our need for new antibiotics to cure sick people.· Whenever possible, patients who do not respond to antibiotics should be screened for resistant strains.· The first resistant strain was found within a year of its use and soon spread.
· Even if you have the cash, paying it over could be a severe strain on your resources.· Aside from the policy of confronting union power, other aspects of the Selsdon programme were under severe strain by 1972.· Both institutions claim to be under severe strain - although both are also busy planning new extensions.· The additional cost of repairs in mid-Ulster and central Belfast will put severe strain on the Northern Ireland Office budget.· The system is under severe strain.· Its rapid expansion is causing severe strains on its current buildings on Corstorphine Hill.· It is also likely that a veto would produce severe strains in the relationship between Edinburgh and London.· The crisis is putting severe strain on the health service.
· In other words you are putting undue strain on your machine.· This exercise encourages suppleness in the spine without undue strain on the body.
NOUN· Experimental determinations of the form of the strain energy function have led to many proposals of its nature.· Small earthquakes occur continually but relieve only a negligible portion of the accumulated strain energy.· The kinetic energy, or energy of motion, of the ship has been exchanged for strain energy in the rope.· Thus a crack two microns deep releases four times as much strain energy as one one micron deep and so on.
· The colour graphics are reasonable and quite large so you will have no problems with eye strain.· As she describes the irritating eye strain, Estrada laughs self consciously.· VDUs are suspected by some of causing eye strain, postural problems and even of spreading harmful radiation across the room.· Headache from the inability to focus the eyes rapidly enough, from eye strain.· Unfortunately, though comprehensive on training, it said nothing about eye strain!· If you develop eye strain it might be because you are reading too close to the printed page.· But many find they help to maintain alertness and reduce headaches and eye strain from close work.
· Argyle player-manager Shilton ruled himself out of the hiding-to-nothing trip with a groin strain.· He was sidelined by a groin strain throughout much of training camp but was ready to play by opening night.· Ally Mauchlen, substituted on Saturday with a groin strain, is also struggling to make it.· First, there was the groin strain that put him on the disabled list from April 28-May 12.· Paul Bodin's still receiving treatment for his groin strain.· The 30-year-old Warwickshire captain was the selectors' choice after Lewis broke down with a groin strain.· He has been advised that rest is the only remedy for a recurring groin strain.· He could be joined by Steve Whitton, back after a groin strain.
· Much depends on whether Neil Fairbrother is fit following a hamstring strain.· He faces a fitness test today on the hamstring strain that has kept him out for two matches.· Parker has not played in United's last five matches after picking up a hamstring strain on March 14.· Liverpool give John Barnes only an even-money chance of recovering from his hamstring strain.
· Warming up Before you begin, take time to do the leg stretches overleaf which will help prevent any muscle strain.· We are, literally, a masterpiece of balance. Muscle strains and spasms are inevitable, though.· Hill has ended his last three games in agony since he first suffered the muscle strain at Ipswich earlier this month.· After missing the first Test because of a muscle strain, Gillespie now has 18 wickets in the series.
VERB· Inevitably it is women, as housewives particularly, who bear the strain of this.· The rope is strong, capable of bearing a strain of three tons.
· Equivalent plasterboards break under the strain.· Ropes broke under strain, or were worn through by prolonged use.· If you clear them from the surface regularly, the net will not break under the strain.· His health broke down under the strain of overwork, and he returned to Ortona in 1869 to convalesce.
· Perhaps his memory, like Henry's, was buckling under the strain of being forty.· No wonder their marriage had buckled beneath the strain!· Does the amp respond or does it buckle under the strain?
· Failure of the chain links is called scission and it can be caused not only by strain but also by chemical means.· The carrying no longer caused a strain, and his right hand could hold the pen unencumbered by other duties.· Its rapid expansion is causing severe strains on its current buildings on Corstorphine Hill.· However, sleeping with just your head on the pillow can cause neck strain.
· If it were otherwise the court system would simply collapse under the strain.· His knees were wobbling as if they might collapse under the strain of holding his body upright.
· One of the professional golfers had cracked under the strain yesterday.· The ruling Gaullists and the Communists alike were in danger of cracking under the strain of the May Events.· Then I sow one of my colleagues die from a heart attack and two others crack up under the strain.· This concrete path is cracking up under the strain of thousands of paws padding over it.
· Ember twisted his head to ease the strain in his neck.· Western teaches a Santa leg lift to ease the strain.· She was pushing his body to the limits of its endurance to divert and ease the strain on his spirit.
· They have accentuated the inequalities of provision, with rural areas in the remoter mountains feeling the most strain.· Everyone could feel the abnormal strains that were now racking the monied world.· But even then they felt some strain.· They believe more and more young people could be feeling the strain.· The race was run at a tremendous pace, and Foinavon was soon feeling the strain.· Even the guides solely dedicated un shopping are feeling the strain.· It is clear that all solicitors involved in litigation are feeling the strain, though most maintain that the changes are positive.
· Over the relay system Lucy could hear the filtered strains of Ain't Misbehavin'.· As you approach the hotel ballroom, you begin to hear the faint strains of a Mariachi band.· You could hear the strain in his voice.
· Obviously this would impose a significant strain on the Exchequer.· This expansion has imposed a strain on the control of fraud.· Certainly the Bevanites could claim that rearmament was imposing too great a strain on the economy.· This method imposes least strain on the interconnecting wires.· Liberalization, however, can impose additional strain on a system.· The events of 1982-3 imposed a much greater strain on the Constitution.· The spate of new legislation imposes a great strain upon the smaller firm.
· The fact that an increasing number of women want paid employment has also placed further strain on caring arrangements.· Occupational therapists also can modify items to make it possible to use them without placing a strain on arthritic joints.· To accept them all would place an intolerable strain on her health, but she rarely fails to help a charity.· The rapidly increasing urban population has placed an impossible strain on the provision of housing.· Advances in commerce and the use of money were placing great strains on the rice-based economy.· Though his extravagance was well rewarded, it must have placed a severe strain on the house's finances.· The arms are straight, placing the strain on the larger groups of shoulder and back muscles.· But it was the gruelling work schedule Kylie was now working which placed the greatest strain according to friends.
· This produces a strain oscillating with the same frequency as, but out of phase with, the stress.· Rather, poor eyesight uncorrected by glasses and harshly taxed by use may produce symptoms of strain, including headaches.· But there were no obvious ways of producing attenuated strains of virus until a means of cultivation was established.· The failure of animal breeders to produce a strain that can bias the gender of its offspring is glaring.· It is also likely that a veto would produce severe strains in the relationship between Edinburgh and London.· As welcome as these changes were, they none the less produced strains within the institution.· The school has its own experimental farm, and has produced special strains of rice for the commune.
· But over the years both internal difficulties and external economic and regional pressures have put these policies under strain.· He was hardly conscious most of the time, and I didn't want to put any more strain on him.· Such efforts put heavy strains on the financial and human resources of the organization.· This will help you to move in an easier way, putting less strain on your whole structure.· The usual type of chair puts an enormous strain on the spine, back muscles and many of the internal organs.· This can put a significant strain on resources.· Do these tyres put an extra strain on the vehicle as they are bigger and probably heavier than Michelin 7.50 x 16.
· There was just that constant tiny worried frown between her brows to show the strain.· The justices have shown signs of the strain that public attention can bring.· That is the point at which the coalition began to show strain.· An electrocardiogram showed right heart strain.· Figure 2, for instance, shows the breaking strains of whiskers of two very different substances, silicon and zinc oxide.· Colchester hit back to level at one set all and both sides were showing signs of strain.· In repose, she showed still the strain she had been under, but it was otherwise a new Daisy.· Stella had recovered much of her poise, and only the pallor of her face showed the strain she was under.
· He waited until his stomach couldn't stand the strain any more, and rapped on the boy.· Sadly, the underlying amateurishness of the organization could not stand the strain and the Guild disintegrated in 1888.· Contemplating the walk back to town, I wondered if my boots would stand the strain.· Well, if you think you could stand the strain of being part of this family, you're welcome.· Will her voice stand the strain?
· To his left three guards had taken the strain on a rope that ran tight and stretched to the building.· That takes the strain off a phone system designed to carry voice and provides higher throughput for Internet users and telecommuters.· Planned participation A person with impaired hearing has to take a lot more strain than people with normal hearing.· In the meantime consumers are taking the strain.· Almost without thinking about it you will be doing more moving around, walking faster, taking stairs without strain, and so on.· How well is it taking the strain?· It has been especially adapted by her father to take the strain of the amount of money she always collects.· High cost of taking the strain Wednesday People.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1worry [countable, uncountable] worry that is caused by having to deal with a problem or work too hard over a long period of time: - And unusual strains of salmonella have increased too.
- I see little reason to prefer strains of lettuce, for instance, that are inherently poisonous to pests.
- Protoplasts from different strains of plant have been joined, giving rise to a completely new variety blending characteristics from each parent.
- Resistant strains of bacteria were detected soon after the widespread introduction of penicillin in the 1940s.
- They were scared by the virulent strains of virus Salk insisted on using in his vaccine.
- When Sabin developed his attenuated strains of polio he energetically pursued his goal of making them widely accepted as vaccine strains.
- A week later he wrote to apologise to all six, putting his behaviour down to nervous exhaustion.
- Behind dosed doors Diana cried her eyes out with nervous exhaustion.
- It could not be true that nervous strain made you lose weight.
- Most of the others were suffering from a degree of nervous exhaustion after the long takeover struggle.
- Nor could they show her nervous exhaustion, her permanent anxiety for her loved ones, her acute worry about tomorrow.
- Their company seemed to drain me and send me into a state of nervous exhaustion after even a short while.
- This probably exacerbated his tendency to long periods of nervous exhaustion, which caused his absence from his parish while he recovered.
- Yet it s a one-joke play that teases out its central idea to the point of nervous exhaustion.
I couldn’t look after him anymore; the strain was too much for me. Did you find the job a strain? the stresses and strains of police lifestrain for The trial has been a terrible strain for both of us.strain on It’s quite a strain on me when he’s drinking heavily.put/place a strain on somebody The long working hours put a severe strain on employees.under (a) strain I know you’ve been under a lot of strain lately.crack/collapse/buckle etc under the strain (=become unable to deal with a problem or work) I could see that she was beginning to crack under the strain.2difficulty [countable, uncountable] a difficulty or problem that is caused when a person, relationship, organization, or system has too much to do or too many problems to deal withstrain on The dry summer has further increased the strain on water resources.put/place (a) strain on something The flu epidemic has put a huge strain on the health service.strain in The attack has led to strains in the relationship between the two countries.under (a) strain His marriage was under strain.break/crack/collapse etc under the strain The party split under the strain.3force [uncountable] a situation in which something is being pulled or pushed, or is holding weight, and so might break or become damagedstrain on The strain on the cables supporting the bridge is enormous.put/place (a) strain on something Some of these exercises put too much strain on the back muscles. These four posts take the strain of the whole structure.break/snap/collapse etc under the strain The rope snapped under the strain.4injury [countable, uncountable] an injury to a muscle or part of your body that is caused by using it too much: Long hours working at a computer can cause eye strain. The goalkeeper is still out of action with a knee strain.► see thesaurus at injury5plant/animal [countable] a type of animal, plant, or diseasestrain of different strains of wheat a new strain of the flu virus6quality [singular] a particular quality which people have, especially one that is passed from parents to childrenstrain of There’s a strain of madness in his family.7way of saying something [singular] formal an amount of a feeling that you can see in the way someone speaks, writes, paints etc: a strain of bitterness in Young’s later work8strains of something literary the sound of music being played: We sipped wine to the strains of Beethoven.COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2adjectivesgreat/considerable/severe strain· The country’s health system is under great strain.a terrible strain· It’s been a terrible strain.an intolerable strain (=too great to bear)· The cost of these wars put an intolerable strain on the economy.undue strain (=too much strain)· How much can you invest without putting any undue strain on your finances?emotional strain· She has been suffering from considerable emotional strain.financial strain· This welfare program has eased the financial strain of raising children alone.verbsput/place (a) strain on somebody/something· Living with my parents put quite a strain on our marriage.crack/collapse/buckle etc under the strain (=become unable to continue normally because of the strain)· They are worried that the court system might collapse under the strain.ease the strain (=make it less)· You can do much to ease the strain of the situation for her.phrasesbe under (a) strain· Claudia could see that he was under considerable strain.stresses and strains· Holidays help people to cope with the stresses and strains of life.strain1 nounstrain2 verb
strainstrain2 ●●○ verb WORD ORIGINstrain2
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French estraindre, from Latin stringere; ➔ STRINGENTVERB TABLE
strain
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | strain |
| he, she, it | strains | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | strained |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have strained |
| he, she, it | has strained | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had strained |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will strain |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have strained |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am straining |
| he, she, it | is straining | |
| you, we, they | are straining | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was straining |
| you, we, they | were straining | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been straining |
| he, she, it | has been straining | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been straining |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be straining |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been straining |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Strain the sauce through a sieve.
- James strained his right knee playing football.
- Repairs to the roof have severely strained the school's budget.
- His frightened eyes widened, straining to live.
- Righthander Robert Person was scheduled to start, but a strained left hamstring sustained over the weekend could delay his spring debut.
- She carries a small but distinct belly, which is straining the red material of the skirt.
- Sometimes he strained his head up towards the ceiling and his mouth moved as if he were trying to shout orders.
THESAURUSto injure yourself or someone else
to damage part of your body, or someone else’s body: · She slipped on the ice and hurt herself badly.· Be careful you don’t hurt anyone with that knife.
to hurt yourself quite severely, or to be hurt in an accident or fighting: · One of our players has injured his leg, and will be out of the game for weeks.· Four people have been seriously injured on the Arizona highway.
to deliberately hurt someone using a weapon such as a knife or gun: · The gunmen shot and killed twelve people and wounded three others.
[usually passive] to hurt someone very severely, especially so that they lose an arm, leg etc, often as the result of an explosion: · In countries where there are landmines, people are killed and maimed daily.
to hurt a part of your body by breaking a bone in it: · The X-ray showed that I had broken my wrist.
to hurt a part of your body when you fall on it or hit it, causing a dark mark to appear on your skin: · Cathy fell off her bike and bruised her legs badly.
to hurt your knee, wrist, shoulder etc by suddenly twisting it while you are moving: · I jumped down from the wall and landed awkwardly, spraining my ankle.
to hurt one of your muscles by stretching it or using it too much: · When you are lifting heavy loads, be careful not to strain a back muscle.
to damage a joint in your body in a way that moves the two parts of the joint out of their normal position: · Our best batsman dislocated his shoulder during training.
[usually passive] to make someone lose the ability to move part or all of their body: · A climbing accident had left him paralysed from the chest down.
WORD SETSallspice, nounbake, verbbarbecue, verbbaste, verbblanch, verbboil, verbbottle, verbbouillon cube, nounbraise, verbbreadcrumbs, nounbreaded, adjectivebrine, nounbroil, verbbrown, verbbutter, verbcandied, adjectivecaper, nouncaramel, nouncardamom, nouncarve, verbcasserole, nouncasserole, verbcaster sugar, nouncharbroil, verbchervil, nounchestnut, nounchicory, nounchill, verbchilli powder, nounchip, verbcilantro, nouncinnamon, nounclean, verbclove, nouncochineal, nouncoconut, nouncook, verbcook, nouncookbook, nouncookery, nouncookery book, nouncordon bleu, adjectivecore, verbcoriander, nouncream, verbcrisp, verbcube, verbculinary, adjectivecumin, nouncurry powder, noundeep fry, verbdessertspoon, noundevilled, adjectivedice, verbdone, adjectivedress, verbessence, nounfat, nounflambé, adjectiveflan, nounflavouring, nounflour, nounflour, verbfrost, verbfrosting, nounfry, verbglaze, verbglaze, noungourmet, adjectivegourmet, noungrate, verbgrease, noungrease, verbgreaseproof paper, noungrill, verbgrill, noungrind, verbgut, verbhard-boiled, adjectivehaute cuisine, nounhob, nounhull, verbhusk, verbice, verbicebox, nounicing, nounicing sugar, nouningredient, nounjoint, verbknead, verblard, nounlard, verbleaven, nounliquidize, verbmarinade, nounmarinate, verbmarjoram, nounmicrowave, verbmince, verbmincer, nounmint, nounmix, verbmix, nounnouvelle cuisine, nounnutmeg, nounoil, nounolive oil, nounoverdone, adjectiveparboil, verbpare, verbpickle, verbpipe, verbpit, verbpitted, adjectivepkt, pluck, verbplum tomato, nounpoach, verbprecooked, adjectivepreheat, verbprep, verbprove, verbrecipe, nounreduce, verbrice paper, nounrind, nounrise, verbroast, verbroast, nounroast, adjectiverosemary, nounroux, nounsaffron, nounsage, nounsalt, nounsalt, verbsauce, nounsausage meat, nounsauté, verbsavory, nounscalloped, adjectivesear, verbseason, verbseasoning, nounself-raising flour, nounself-rising flour, nounsesame, nounshell, verbshortening, nounshort-order cook, nounshuck, verbsieve, verbsift, verbsifter, nounsimmer, verbsimmer, nounskewer, verbsmoke, verbsoak, verbsoda, nounsodium bicarbonate, nounspice, nounspice, verbspicy, adjectivestarch, nounsteam, verbsteep, verbstew, verbstock, nounstone, verbstrain, verbstuff, verbstuffing, nounsunny-side up, adjectivesweat, verbsweet-and-sour, adjectiveTabasco, nountandoori, adjectivetarragon, nountbsp, teaspoon, nountenderize, verbtenderloin, nountextured vegetable protein, nounthaw, verbthyme, nountimer, nountoast, nountoast, verbtoss, verbtruss, verbtsp, turmeric, noununderdone, adjectivevinaigrette, nounvinegar, nounwhip, verbwhisk, verbyeast, nounzap, verbzest, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I felt that my patience was being strained to the limit.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES A weaker person would have buckled under the weight of criticism. Caring for an elderly relative can become an intolerable burden. Exercise gently and avoid putting yourself under undue strain.
(=try very hard to hear or see) I strained my ears, listening for any sound in the silence of the cave.
I strained my ears, listening for any sound in the silence of the cave. I felt that my patience was being strained to the limit. (=not relaxed)· As soon as I went in, I was aware of the tense atmosphere in the room.
· Mark couldn’t bear the pressure of the job any longer.
A weaker person would have buckled under the weight of criticism. (=seem very difficult to believe) It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet.
It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet. Caring for an elderly relative can become an intolerable burden. (=injure it)· He pulled a muscle in his calf.
(=a lot of different worries that are caused by something)· the stresses and strains of everyday life
Exercise gently and avoid putting yourself under undue strain. (=one type of it)· Doctors fear that a new strain of the virus will appear.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Relations between the two states were severely strained.· And relations between Dublin and London have been severely strained.· She was already twenty-one and their self-imposed tests of constraint were severely strained.· A high-spending boom followed by bust and recession have severely strained relationships of all kinds.
NOUN· But defender Andy Barlow will be sidelined for a month after straining a calf muscle in training.· George Williams played his first game after suffering from a strained calf muscle and quite clearly didn't have his full movement.· At least the Clippers welcomed back Richardson, who missed two games with a strained right calf.· The first substitution did not come until Richardson suffered a slightly strained right calf early in the fourth quarter.
· If anything, Letterman thinks, these women have a compulsion to reach a higher plane of conversation that strains credulity.· It strains credulity, I know, but there were nights in those years when no man was bad-looking.· On this page we add a post-script to the Century by straining the readers' credulity still further! 1.· And, quite frankly, it strains the credulity of those who are asked to believe that it exists.· To be asked to see myself as one in solidarity with first-century women strains my credulity.· It strains credulity to think they could beat San Francisco and Dallas on the road.
· In the brief lulls, my ears strained to catch the sound of the pigeon's soft, wheezy breathing.· The man's pale blue eyes peered into the fog and his ears strained to catch the sound of approaching footsteps.· Her heart thumped with excitement, her ears strained at the approach of every car.
· Ten metres from the line I saw Ray, twisted to dip and strained my hamstring.· Righthander Robert Person was scheduled to start, but a strained left hamstring sustained over the weekend could delay his spring debut.· Bett has problems with a painful toe, and McClair strained a hamstring during a training session on Sunday.· Karros is recovering from a strained hamstring and has yet to play in an exhibition game.· Heat guard Eddie Jones left in the first quarter with a strained left hamstring and didn't return.· Reed has missed the past week with a strained hamstring.
· The shuttle stopped, trembling, as if straining at a leash.
· At the same time she could feel her neck muscles being strained.· She wrapped herself around him like a clam in formation, her body one big muscle, straining.
· Vincent strained every nerve to turn himself into a draughtsman acceptable to the illustrated papers, and the strain showed.
· A high-spending boom followed by bust and recession have severely strained relationships of all kinds.· This travel can strain family relationships.· Troy Aikman facing interrogations about his strained relationship with Switzer.· This strained family relationships, especially those of Committee members when unpopular decisions had to be made.· Unlike the strained relationship between Caruso and Franz, he and Smits have become great friends.· His attitudes and actions have further strained an already difficult relationship.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be straining at the leashPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1injure [transitive] to injure a muscle or part of your body by using it too much or making it work too hard: - Continually adepts are warned that they must not strain themselves or try to experience these unnatural things.
- Vincent strained every nerve to turn himself into a draughtsman acceptable to the illustrated papers, and the strain showed.
- A week later he wrote to apologise to all six, putting his behaviour down to nervous exhaustion.
- Behind dosed doors Diana cried her eyes out with nervous exhaustion.
- It could not be true that nervous strain made you lose weight.
- Most of the others were suffering from a degree of nervous exhaustion after the long takeover struggle.
- Nor could they show her nervous exhaustion, her permanent anxiety for her loved ones, her acute worry about tomorrow.
- Their company seemed to drain me and send me into a state of nervous exhaustion after even a short while.
- This probably exacerbated his tendency to long periods of nervous exhaustion, which caused his absence from his parish while he recovered.
- Yet it s a one-joke play that teases out its central idea to the point of nervous exhaustion.
I’ve strained a muscle in my leg. You’ll strain your eyes trying to read in this light.► see thesaurus at hurt2effort [intransitive, transitive] to try very hard to do something using all your strength or abilitystrain (something) to do something She was straining to keep her head above the water.strain for Bill choked and gasped, straining for air.strain your ears/eyes (=try very hard to hear or see) I strained my ears, listening for any sound in the silence of the cave.3liquid [transitive] to separate solid things from a liquid by pouring the mixture through something with very small holes in it: She strained the pasta.4difficulty [transitive] to cause difficulties for something by making too much work or too many problems which it cannot deal with easily: The increased costs will certainly strain our finances. The incident has strained relations between the two countries. I felt that my patience was being strained to the limit.5pull/push [intransitive] to pull hard at something or push hard against somethingstrain against Buddy’s huge gut strained against the buttons on his shirt.strain at a dog straining at its lead6strain every nerve to try as hard as possible to do something: He was straining every nerve to impress the judges.7be straining at the leash to be eager to be allowed to do something: There are 30,000 troops in the area, all straining at the leash.8not strain yourself to not work too hard or do too much physical activity – often used in an ironic way: Don’t strain yourself.