constraint
/kənˈstɹeɪnt/ noun
Forms constraints
- 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).”
- noun An irresistible force or compulsion. “They confessed, but only under severe constraint.”
- noun The repression of one's feelings.
- noun (mathematics) A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.
- noun (databases) A linkage or other restriction that maintains database integrity.
Synonyms
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).
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity.
Etymology [OF. constrainte, F. constrainte.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “constraint”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details