constraint

n. restriction; artificial manner, unnatural manner; force

Constraint may refer to:Constraint (mathematics)Constraint algorithm (mechanics) such as SHAKE, or LINCSConstraint (design)Constraint (information theory)Theory of Constraints, in business managementConstraint satisfaction, in computer scienceA constraint on constrained writing, in literatureFor example, Oulipian constraints
See more at Wikipedia.org...

(n.)
The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity.
  

<programming, mathematics> A Boolean relation, often an equality or ineqality3 is a constraint on x. constraint satisfaction attempts to assign values to variables so that all constraints are true.
Usenet newsgroup: news:comp.constraints. FAQ.
(2002-06-08)

Noun
1. the state of being physically constrained; "dogs should be kept under restraint"
(synonym) restraint
(hypernym) confinement
(hyponym) cage
2. a device that retards something's motion; "the car did not have proper restraints fitted"
(synonym) restraint
(hypernym) device
(hyponym) air bag
3. the act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others
(hypernym) restriction
(hyponym) swaddling clothes