straight-laced
11straight — {{11}}straight (adj.1) mid 14c., direct, undeviating, not crooked, properly that which is stretched, adj. use of O.E. streht (altered, by analogy with streccan, from earlier streaht), pp. of streccan to stretch (see STRETCH (Cf. stretch) (v.)).… …
12strait-laced — UK / US or straight laced UK [ˌstreɪt ˈleɪst] / US [ˈstreɪt ˌleɪst] adjective showing disapproval morally very strict and old fashioned • See: straight laced …
13strait´-laced´ness — strait laced «STRAYT LAYST», adjective. 1. very strict in matters of conduct; prudish: »I m not strait laced, but I tell you we got to have decent women in our schools (Sinclair Lewis). SYNONYM(S): stiff, formal. 2. Archaic. a) tightly laced. b) …
14strait´-laced´ly — strait laced «STRAYT LAYST», adjective. 1. very strict in matters of conduct; prudish: »I m not strait laced, but I tell you we got to have decent women in our schools (Sinclair Lewis). SYNONYM(S): stiff, formal. 2. Archaic. a) tightly laced. b) …
15strait-laced — strait lacedly /strayt lay sid lee, layst lee/, adv. strait lacedness, n. /strayt layst /, adj. 1. excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical; prudish: strait laced censors. 2. tightly laced, as a bodice. 3. wearing tightly laced… …
16strait-laced — strait′ laced or straight laced adj. 1) excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical 2) tightly laced, as a bodice 3) wearing tightly laced garments • Etymology: 1400–50 strait′ lac ed•ly, adv …
17strait-laced — also straight laced, straitlaced ADJ GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone as strait laced, you disapprove of them because they have very strict views about what kind of behaviour is moral or acceptable. He was criticised for being boring …
18strait-laced — (also straight laced) ► ADJECTIVE ▪ having or showing very strict moral attitudes …
19strait-laced — adjective exaggeratedly proper my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn t approve of my miniskirts • Syn: ↑priggish, ↑prim, ↑prissy, ↑prudish, ↑puritanical, ↑square toed, ↑straitlaced, ↑ …
20tight-laced — adjective exaggeratedly proper my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn t approve of my miniskirts • Syn: ↑priggish, ↑prim, ↑prissy, ↑prudish, ↑puritanical, ↑square toed, ↑straitlaced, ↑ …
