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
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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

(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)