From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Constrain \Con*strain"\, verb (used with an object) [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.
He binds in chains The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains. --Dryden.
When winter frosts constrain the fields with cold. --Dryden.
2. To bring into a narrow compass; to compress.
How the strait stays the slender waist constrain. --Gay.
3. To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress.
My sire in caves constrains the winds. --Dryden.
4. To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige.
The love of Christ constraineth us. --2. Cor. v. 14.
I was constrained to appeal unto C[ae]sar. --Acts xxviii. 19.
5. To violate; to ravish. [Obs.] --Shak.
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.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adjective
1: restricting the scope or freedom of action [syn: {confining}, {constrictive}, {limiting}, {restricting}]
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