CONSTRAINT

constraint

(noun) the act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others

restraint, constraint

(noun) a device that retards something’s motion; “the car did not have proper restraints fitted”

constraint, restraint

(noun) the state of being physically constrained; “dogs should be kept under restraint”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

constraint (countable and uncountable, plural constraints)

Something that constrains; a restriction.

An irresistible force or compulsion.

The repression of one's feelings.

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

(databases) A linkage or other restriction that maintains database integrity.

Anagrams

• in contrast

Source: Wiktionary

Con*straint", n. Etym: [OF. constrainte, F. constrainte.]

Definition: The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity. Long imprisonment and hard constraint. Spenser. Not by constraint, but bDryden.

Syn.

– Compulsion; violence; necessity; urgency.

– Constraint, Compulsion. Constraint implies strong binding force; as, the constraint of necessity; the constraint of fear. Compulsion implies the exertion of some urgent impelling force; as, driven by compulsion. The former prevents us from acting agreeably to our wishes; the latter forces us to act contrary to our will. Compulsion is always produced by some active agent; a constraint may be laid upon us by the forms of civil society, or by other outward circumstances. Crabb.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition