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, ∨ Friars of the Strict Observance. R. C. Ch. See Observance.
© Webster 1913.