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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

The quality or condition of being strait; especially, a pinched condition or situation caused by poverty;

as, the

straitness

of their circumstances

Noun.

Narrowness; as the straitness of a place; straitness of mind; straitness of circumstances.

Strictness; rigor; as the straitness of a mans proceedings.

Distress; difficulty; pressure from necessity of any kind, particularly from poverty.

Want; scarcity; or rather narrowness; as the straitness of the conveniences of life.

straitness ‎(usually uncountable, plural straitnesses)