n :  a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usu. not morphological distinctions <a highly virulent of bacteria> 
, vt 1 a  :  to exert (as oneself) to the utmost  b  :  to injure by overuse, misuse, or excessive pressure <ed his heart by overwork>   c  :  to cause a change of form or size in (a body) by application of external force  2  :  to cause to pass through a strainer vi  :  to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate - often used in the phrase strain at stool
n :  an act of straining or the condition of being strained: as  a  :  excessive physical or mental tension : also  :  a force, influence, or factor causing such tension  b  :  bodily injury from excessive tension, effort, or use <heart >  : esp  :  one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving undue stretching of muscles or ligaments <back >  - compare SPRAIN   c  :  deformation of a material body under the action of applied forces .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  cit·rin  stea·rin  sterna  sterni 
 
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