| 释义 |
strain
I. \ˈstrān\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English streen, strene, from Old English strēon, strīon treasure, acquisition, procreation, progeny; akin to Old English strīenan to gain, Old High German striunan to gain, gistriuni gain, Latin strues heap — more at structure
1.
a. archaic : offspring, children
b. : a line descended or derived from a particular ancestral individual : progeny, descendants
< the weakness of this royal strain increased from generation to generation >
also : lineage, ancestry
< came of a sturdy peasant strain >
c. : a selected group of organisms sharing or presumed to share a common ancestry and usually lacking clear-cut morphological distinctions from related forms but having distinguishing physiological qualities (as high drought resistance in a plant, superior milk production in cattle, or increased virulence in a microorganism)
< a high-yielding strain of winter wheat >
broadly : a specified infraspecific group (as a stock, line, or ecotype)
d. : a class of persons or things : kind, sort
< discussions of the highest strain >
2.
a. : inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition
< may this valiant strain remain a part of our national heritage >
b. : a tendency or quality that is inherent though often incongruous as if inherited intact : trace, streak
< a strain of madness in the family >
< his character is marred by a strain of fanaticism >
3.
a. : a period or other well defined short subdivision of a musical composition or movement; often : tune, air
b. : a distinct portion of an ode or other poem; also : a passage of verbal or musical expression
c. : a stream or outburst of forceful, vigorous, or impassioned speech
4.
a. : the tenor, pervading note, burden, tone, manner, style, of an utterance (as a song, poem, speech, book) or of a course of action or conduct
< he spoke in a noble strain >
< there was a strain of woe in his story >
b. : mood, temper
< in a philosophizing strain >
Synonyms: see variety
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English streinen, strainen, from Middle French estreindre, estraindre, from Latin stringere to bind tight, press together; akin to Greek strang-, stranx drop squeezed out, strangos twisted, flowing drop by drop, strangalē halter, Middle Irish srengim I draw
transitive verb
1.
a. : to draw tight : cause to clasp firmly
< the bandage should be strained tightly over the scalded surface to minimize blistering >
b. : to stretch to maximum extension and tautness
< the wire must be strained into position if the fence is to be firm and erect >
< strain a canvas over a frame >
2.
a. : to exert (as oneself) to the utmost : put to great stress or effort : use or cause to function with extreme vigor
< straining himself to a final burst of speed >
< strained her ear at the keyhole >
b. : to injure (as oneself or a body part) by overuse or misuse
< strained his heart by overwork >
< strained herself moving the piano >
— compare sprain
c. : to injure by making too great a demand on or by exposure to excessive tension or other force
< the storm strained the timbers of the ship >
d. : to cause a change of form or size in (a body) by application of external force
3. : to squeeze or clasp tightly: as
a. : to press closely in one's arms : hug — usually used in the phrase strain to one's breast
b. : to compress painfully or harmfully : constrict
c. obsolete : to exert pressure upon so as to cause distress : afflict
d.
(1) : to take firmly in one's hand or grip
< straining his hand in tearful farewell >
< strained her tense hands together >
(2) obsolete : to seize (prey) with the claws
(3) obsolete : to grasp firmly and wield or brandish (a weapon)
4.
a. : to cause to pass through a strainer or other separatory device (as a filter, cloth, or porous body) usually by pressure, suction, or the force of gravity
< strain the gravy free from lumps >
b. : to remove by straining — usually used with out
< strain the lumps out of the gravy >
5.
a. : to stretch beyond its proper limit : do violence to in respect to intent or meaning
< a very strained interpretation of the passage >
< the interests of justice are rarely served by straining the law >
b. : to tax unduly
< it would strain anyone's conscience to agree >
6. obsolete
a. : to urge (as a request) with importunity : press
b. : to squeeze out : extort
7. : to raise to a high degree, pitch, or emotional state
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make violent efforts : stretch or extend to a maximum in coping with an exerting or difficult task : strive
< muscles straining to raise the stone >
< his eyes strain to catch a glimpse of the sea >
b. : to sustain a strain, wrench, or distortion usually in effecting an effort or resisting a force
< ships straining at their anchors >
c. : to make a vigorous effort to eject something usually from the body: as
(1) : to retch in attempting to vomit
(2) : to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate — often used in the phrase strain at stool
2.
a. : to pass through a strainer or other separatory device : become filtered
< the liquid strains readily >
b. : to pass through something easily as if through a strainer : trickle
< water straining through sandy soil >
c. : to pass from something as if being separated with a strainer : ooze, exude
< muddy water strained from her hair >
< juice straining from the overripe fruits >
3.
a. : to make great difficulty or resistance : balk
< a horse straining at the lead >
< ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel — Mt 23:24 (Authorized Version) >
b. : to take exception : scruple — usually used with at
< anyone would strain at such an interpretation >
Synonyms: see demur
•
- strain a point
- strain courtesy
III. noun
(-s)
1. : an act of straining or the condition of being strained: as
a. : excessive physical or mental tension
< subject to severe strain in action >
also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension
< the wind pressure was a strain on the ship's rigging >
< her responsibilities were a constant strain >
b. : excessive or difficult exertion or labor : a violent or overtaxing effort
< gave a great strain and heaved the load aboard >
c. : a hurt or injury of a body part or organ resulting or such as results from excessive tension, effort, or use
< suffered from heart strain >
usually : an injury resulting from a wrench or twist and involving overstretching of muscles or ligaments
< foot strain >
< back strain >
— compare sprain
d. : deformation of a material body and especially of an elastic solid under the action of applied forces
2. : something reachable only by straining : an unusual reach, degree, height, or intensity : pitch
< a strain of excitement quite beyond my reach >
3. archaic : a misconstruction obtained by stretching a meaning (as of a word or passage) : a strained interpretation of something said or written
4. obsolete : the track or hoofmarks of a deer
Synonyms: see stress |