definition of
strain

[1] #1 strain v. [strive, reach] to exert much effort or energy; "straining our ears to hear". wn

[2] #2 strain n. (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces. wn

[3] #3 strain v. [try, stress] test the limits of; "You are trying my patience!". wn

[4] #4 strain n. [stress] difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension; "she endured the stresses and strains of life"; "he presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger"- R.J.Samuelson. wn

[5] #5 strain n. [tune, melody, air, melodic line, line, melodic phrase] a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven". wn