strain n When at sea, the line of latitude of the nearest land.
1888 TALBOT 18 We sailed away in a south-easterly direction until we reached the strain or parallel of Cape Bollard, near Cape Race. [1891] [c1977] WINSOR (ed) 46 We left port about the fifth of March, and near the strain of the Grey Islands, we got about half a load of seals. [1902] 1916 MURPHY 13 The gales drove them south fifty miles or more, to the outer edge of the Banks in the strain of Cape Broyle. 1932 BARBOUR 11 We were now beyond Trinity Bay and in the 'strain' (a Newfoundland term for the same line of latitude) of Cape Bonavista. 1937 DEVINE 50 ~ Vicinity. A maritime word. 'In the strain of the Funks.'
