strain

Where does the word "strain" come from? It comes from Latin stringere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Strain’s story begins in Latin: stringere meant “to draw tight, to bind.” The root of 'strict', 'stringent' and 'restrain'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estraindre. Carried into French for pulling something tight. It reached English by 1300s as strain. Settled as the English word for stretching something tight, or excessive effort. Today, strain means excessive physical or mental pressure, or to stretch or exert something to its limit.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient stringere "to draw tight, to bind", the root of 'strict', 'stringent' and 'restrain'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval estraindre "to pull something tight", carried into French for pulling something tight.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s strain "to stretch something tight, or excessive mental or physical effort", settled as the English word for stretching something tight, or excessive effort.