To draw with force; to extend with great
effort; to stretch; as, to strain a rope; to strain the
shrouds of a ship; to strain the cords of a musical
instrument.
To act upon, in any way, so
as to cause change of form or volume, as forces on a beam to bend
it.
To exert to the utmost; to ply
vigorously.
To stretch beyond its proper limit; to do
violence to, in the matter of intent or meaning; as, to strain
the law in order to convict an accused person.
To injure by drawing, stretching, or the
exertion of force; as, the gale strained the timbers of the
ship.
To injure in the muscles or joints by
causing to make too strong an effort; to harm by overexertion; to
sprain; as, to strain a horse by overloading; to strain
the wrist; to strain a muscle.
To squeeze; to press closely.
To make uneasy or unnatural; to produce
with apparent effort; to force; to constrain.
To urge with importunity; to press; as, to
strain a petition or invitation.
To press, or cause to pass, through a
strainer, as through a screen, a cloth, or some porous substance; to
purify, or separate from extraneous or solid matter, by filtration; to
filter; as, to strain milk through cloth.
In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
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