Strict (?), a.
[Compar. Stricter (?); superl.
Strictest.]
[L. strictus, p. p. of
stringere to draw or bind tight, to strain. See Strain, and cf. Strait, a.]
1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a
strict embrace; a strict ligature. Dryden.
2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a
strict fiber.
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep
strict watch; to pay strict attention.
Shak.
It shall be still in strictest measure.
Milton.
4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. "Through the strict senteries." Milton.
5. Rigidly; interpreted;
exactly limited;
confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
6. (Bot.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the
plants or their flower clusters.
Syn. -- Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe. -- Strict,
Severe. Strict, applied to a person, denotes that he conforms in his motives and acts to a principle or code by which
he is bound;
severe is strict with an implication often, but not always, of harshness. Strict is opposed to lax; severe is opposed to gentle.
And rules as strict his labored work confine,
As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line.
Pope. Soon
moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: -
"What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!"
Milton. The Strict Observance, or Friars
of the Strict Observance.
(R. C. Ch.) See Observance.
Hear it pronounced