- Stricter
- Strict 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber. [1913 Webster]
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
It shall be still in strictest measure. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. ``Through the strict senteries.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense. [1913 Webster]
6. (Bot.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe.
Usage: {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. [1913 Webster]
And rules as strict his labored work confine, As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: ``What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]
{The Strict Observance}, or {Friars of the Strict Observance}. (R. C. Ch.) See {Observance}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.