2 uses
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Definition
restricted; or lacking spontaneity
- Crossing the Black area of Stamps which in childhood's narrow measure seemed a whole world, we were obliged by custom to stop and speak to every person we met, and Bailey felt constrained to spend a few minutes playing with each friend.p. 25.1
- Constrained by hard-learned manners I couldn't look behind me, but to my left and right the proud graduating class of 1940 had dropped their heads.p. 179.9
There are no more uses of "constrained" in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Typical Usage
(best examples)