Obs. Forms: 5 strenabylle, strayne-, 6 strayn-, streyn(e-, strein-, stren-, 6–7 strain(e)able. [f. STRAIN v.1 + -ABLE.]
1. Coercive, compulsive, compulsory.
1483. Cath. Angl., 368/1. Strenabylle, artabilis, co-, coarcibilis.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 828/1. Being hastned forward through the strenable force of destinie.
1592. Bacon, Observ. Libel, Resuscit. (1657), 117. The Entring, and Sifting, into Mens Consciences,… which is Rigorous, and Straineable, Inquisition.
2. In physical sense: Violent, exerting great force. Chiefly of wind and weather.
1497. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 249. The wynde contraryed & the wether was so Strayneable that scace they gate into Lymyngton haven.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron. Rich. III., 41. A prosperous and strenable wynde.
1566. Painter, Pal. Pleas., I. 69. The night being darke and the billowes going high and streinable.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxix. (1887), 109. Some [exercises] be verie vehement, strong, and strainable.
3. Of the voice: ? Full, powerful, sonorous.
1569. Newton, Cicero’s Olde Age, 17 b. The office and function of an Oratoure consisteth not only in wytte and eloquence, but also in a loude durablenesse, and strainable voice. Ibid. (1576), Lemnie’s Complex., I. vi. 37. He … vseth a liuelye & straynable voyce [L. viua intentaque voce].
Hence † Strainableness; † Strainably adv.
1511. Guylforde’s Pilgr. (Camden), 6. The wynde blew not so straynably as byfore.
a. 1542. Wyatt, Poems, ‘Go burning Sighs.’ With pitefull plaint & scalding fyer that oute of my brest doeth straynably stert.
1582. Ld. Burleigh, in Nicolas, Mem. Sir C. Hatton (1847), 177. I do … pray you … not to have the Earl dealt withal strainably, but only by way of advice.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1549/1. By building of which bridge ouer so swift & great a streame, the passage was set open … which before (by reason of the strenablenesse of the water) was not passable.
