He sweats, Strains his young nerves.
Shak.
They strain their warbling throats To welcome in the spring.
Dryden.
4. To stretch beyond its proper limit; to do violence to, in the matter
of intent or meaning; as, to strain the law in order to convict an
accused person.
There can be no other meaning in this expression, however some may
pretend to strain it.
Swift.
5. To injure by drawing, stretching, or the exertion of force; as, the
gale strained the timbers of the ship.
6. To injure in the muscles or joints by causing to make too strong an
effort; to harm by overexertion; to sprain; as, to strain a horse by
overloading; to strain the wrist; to strain a muscle.
Prudes decayed about may track, Strain their necks with looking
back.
Swift.