Definitions
1.verbTo hold tightly, to clasp.
2.verbTo apply a force or forces to by stretching out."Relations between the United States and Guatemala traditionally have been close, although at times strained by human rights and civil/military issues."
3.verbTo damage by drawing, stretching, or the exertion of force."The gale strained the timbers of the ship."
4.verbTo act upon, in any way, so as to cause change of form or volume, as when bending a beam.
5.verbTo exert or struggle (to do something), especially to stretch (one's senses, faculties etc.) beyond what is normal or comfortable."Sitting in back, I strained to hear the speaker."
6.verbTo stretch beyond its proper limit; to do violence to, in terms of intent or meaning."to strain the law in order to convict an accused person"
7.verbTo separate solid from liquid by passing through a strainer or colander
8.verbTo percolate; to be filtered."water straining through a sandy soil"
9.verbTo make uneasy or unnatural; to produce with apparent effort; to force; to constrain.
10.verbTo urge with importunity; to press."to strain a petition or invitation"
11.verbHug somebody; to hold somebody tightly.
12.verbTo beget, generate (of light), engender, copulate (both of animals and humans), lie with, be born, come into the world."A man straineth, liveth, then dieth."
13.nounThe act by which one strains. (muscles, etc)
14.nounFiltering, the process of passing something through a strainer.