straining arch

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noun

an arch for resisting thrusts, as in a flying buttress.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of straining arch

First recorded in 1840–50

“Drew was being annoying about something,” Jonathan says matter-of-factly, straining his brain for the details of their last tiff.
How the Property Brothers Became Your Mom’s Favorite TV Stars|Kevin Fallon|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She squinted, blinked sporadically, and tilted her head, as if straining to wrestle answers from her brain.
Jeopardy! Champion Julia Collins’s Brain Feels Like Mush|Sujay Kumar|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservatives have attacked the lax security under Obama, even straining to tie the threat to ISIS.
Obama, the Coffee Salute, and the Dementia on the Right|Sally Kohn|September 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the steps of the old courthouse in the shadow of the arch where Al Sharpton addressed a media horde.
Michael Brown's Hometown Is Under Occupation|Justin Glawe|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Meanwhile, in the town plaza, arch-rival Brazilian and Argentinian fans were busy hurling insults and beer bottles at one another.
What Is It About Soccer That Brings Out the Hooligan in Its Fans?|Bill Morris|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The way was under a double row of tall trees, which met at the top and formed a green arch over our heads.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Motionless she stood, straining eye and ear; she could hear nothing, but the gestures told much.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
I might as well have laid down and gone to sleep on that pinnacle for all the good my waiting and eye-straining did me.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
He thought a little longer, and as he did so, a vision of his arch enemy rose before him.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux