strain hardening

Even before his injury, the strain had begun to tell on him.

When people argue in this strain, I immediately assume the offensive.

If, now, the patient cough or strain as if at stool, the contents of the stomach will usually be forced out through the tube.

We ought to attempt such a shortening as will strain the machine to a breaking point, but never break it.

This was a great strain on their rather limited resources, and for some years they had to practise strict economy.

The Marshal, in his Memoirs, asserts that this short campaign was the severest strain he ever underwent.