constraint

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Something that constrains; a restriction.

   An engineer must recognize the difference between a constraint (to work within) and a problem (to be eliminated via resolution).

2. 2
   noun

   An irresistible force or compulsion.

   They confessed, but only under severe constraint.

3. 3
   noun

   The repression of one's feelings.

   Although his blood so rose against this man, and his wrath so stirred within him, that he could have struck him dead, he put such fierce constraint upon himself that he passed him without a word or look. Yes, and he would have gone on, and not turned, though to resist the Devil who poured such hot temptation in his brain, required an effort scarcely to be achieved, if this man had not himself summoned him to stop

4. 4
   noun

   the act of constraining

5. 5
   noun

   a device that retards something's motion

6. 6
   noun

   the state of being physically constrained

7. 7
   noun

   A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.

8. 8
   noun

   A linkage or other restriction that maintains database integrity.

Etymology

From Middle English constreynt, constreynte, from Old French constreinte, past participle of constreindre (“to constrain”), from Latin cōnstringō (corresponding to the past participle cōnstrictus).