Strain

Quick meaning: Strain is a noun meaning (biology) A particular variety of a microbe, virus, or other organism, usually a taxonomically infraspecific one.

Meaning

(biology) A particular variety of a microbe, virus, or other organism, usually a taxonomically infraspecific one.

More Meanings

1. (figurative) Hereditary character, quality, tendency, or disposition.
2. Language that is eloquent, poetic, or otherwise heightened.
3. (music, poetry) Any sustained note or movement; a song; a distinct portion of an ode or other poem; also, the pervading note, or burden, of a song, poem, etc.
4. (archaic) Race; lineage, pedigree.
5. (rare) A kind or sort (of person etc.).
6. (obsolete) Treasure.
7. (obsolete) The blood-vessel in the yolk of an egg.

Example Sentences

He is of a noble strain.

There is a strain of madness in her family.

They say this year's flu virus is a particularly virulent strain.

Intemperance and Luſt breed infirmities and diſeaſes, which, being propagated, ſpoil the Strain of a Nation.

Word Forms

• strains
• straining
• strained

Synonyms for strain

Depending on context, synonyms include propensity, proneness, theme, motive, manner, style.

Antonyms for strain

Common opposites include unwind, relax, unlax, unstrain.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include form, variant, variety, extend, stock, pains.

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