strain

¹strain

noun \ˈstrān\

Definition of STRAIN

1

a : lineage, ancestry b : a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions <a high-yielding strain of winter wheat>; broadly : a specified infraspecific group (as a stock, line, or ecotype) c : kind, sort <discussions of a lofty strain>

2

a : inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition <a strain of madness in the family> b : trace, streak <a strain of fanaticism>

3

a : tune, air b : a passage of verbal or musical expression c : a stream or outburst of forceful or impassioned speech

4

a : the tenor, pervading note, burden, or tone of an utterance or of a course of action or conduct b : mood, temper

Origin of STRAIN

Middle English streen progeny, lineage, from Old English strēon gain, acquisition; akin to Old High German gistriuni gain, Latin struere to heap up — more at strew

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with STRAIN

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne