strain /strein/ I. n. 1.［c］过劳，极度紧张: suffer from the strain of modern life 苦于近代生活的紧张；the strain of sleepless nights 连夜不眠的过度劳累The usual type of chair puts an enormous strain on the spine. 普通的椅子使脊柱要承受巨大的作用力。2.［c］&［u］张力，应变: calculate the strains and stresses of a bridge 计算桥的张力和应力 The rope broke under the strain. 绳子拉断了。The strain on the rope made it broken. 绳子因受力过大而断了。3.［c］扭伤，扭筋: have a strain in a leg 腿部扭伤了。‖II. vt. 1.尽力使用，使紧张：strain every nerve 全力以赴，竭尽全力；strain one’s voice 尽力提高噪子；喊哑嗓子 2.拉紧，绷紧：strain a rope to the breaking point 把绳子拉得要断了 3.扭伤，拉伤：strain the wrist 扭伤手腕  ‖III. vi. 尽力，努力（跟at, after和不定式）：strain at the rope to pull the bucket up 使劲抓住绳把桶拉上来；strain after praise and approval 竭力寻求表扬和喝彩；strain to reach one’s goal 竭力实现目标