1.b> 1) (), ( , i>); she was straining to keep her head above the water / , ; people were straining to see what was going on , ; I had to strain to hear the music / , ;
2) (), (, .i>); I was straining my ears listening hard to hear what they were saying , ; don't strain yourself i> / ;
2.b> (, ), / , (, , i>); I think I've strained a muscle in my neck , / ; I strained a muscle in my back playing squash ; don't read in the dark. You'll strain your eyes . ;
3.b> 1) (; ), ; the barbed wire fence was strained to posts six feet high ; I've put on such a lot of weight recently this dress is straining at the seams / ; a dog straining at its lead / leash / , / / [.i> .i> ];
2) (), ; i> ; the war is straining the defence budget ; the dispute has strained relations between the two countries i> / ; he strained her tolerance to the limit ;
4.b> (), , / .i> , ; to strain tea / ; strain the sauce to remove the seeds and skins / ; strain the custard into a bowl / ; use a colander to strain the vegetables / ;
to strain at the leashb> .i> , ( i>); [.i> .i> leash Ir> ]; like all youngsters, he's straining at the leash to leave home , , ( i>); to strain every nerveb> .i> nerve Ir> 4 1).