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.