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To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation; as, to sprain one's ankle.

To crack or split; to bend or strain so as to weaken; as, to spring a mast or a yard.

Subjected to great or excessive tension; wrenched; weakened; as, strained relations between old friends.

Fig.: To moderate or relax; to diminish or weaken the striking characteristics of; to soften. The best method for the purpose in hand was to employ some one of a character and position suited to get possession of their confidence, and then use it to tone down their religious strictures. Palfrey. -- To tone up, to cause…

To deprive of nerve, force, or strength; to weaken; to enfeeble; as, to unnerve the arm. Unequal match'd, . . . The unnerved father falls. Shak.

him the while venial discourse unblamed." Milton. Venial sin (R. C. Theol.), a sin which weakens, but does not wholly destroy, sanctifying grace, as do mortal, or deadly, sins. -- Ve"ni*al*ly, adv. -- Ve"ni*al*ness, n. Bp. Hall.

ing the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken. To water stock, to increase the capital stock of a company by issuing new stock, thus diminishing the value of the individual shares. Cf. Water, n., 7. [Brokers' Cant]

To make or become weak; to weaken. [R.] Never to seek weaking variety. Marston.