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Webster 1913 Edition

Strict

Strict

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Stricter
;
sup
erl.
Strictest
.]
[L.
strictus
, p. p. of
stringere
to draw or bind tight, to strain. See
Strain
, and cf.
Strait
,
Adj.
]
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Strict

STRICT

,
Adj.
[L. See Strain.]
1.
Strained; drawn close; tight; as a strict embrace; a strict ligature.
2.
Tense; not relaxed; as a strict or lax fiber.
3.
Exact; accurate; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch. Observe the strictest rules of virtue and decorum.
4.
Severe; rigorous; governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; as, the father is very strict in observing the sabbath. The master is very strict with his apprentices.
5.
Rigorous; not mild or indulgent; as strict laws.
6.
Confined; limited; not with latitude; as, to understand words in a strict sense.

Definition 2024

strict

strict

English

Adjective

strict ‎(comparative stricter, superlative strictest)

  1. Strained; drawn close; tight.
    strict embrace
    strict ligature
  2. Tense; not relaxed.
    strict fiber
  3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice.
    to keep strict watch
    to pay strict attention
  4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
    • 1905, Baroness Emmuska Orczy, chapter 2, in The Hocussing of Cigarette:
      No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.
    very strict in observing the Sabbath
  5. Rigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.
    to understand words in a strict sense
  6. (botany) Upright, or straight and narrow; — said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
  7. Severe in discipline.

Usage notes

  • Stricter and strictest are the grammatically correct forms for the comparative and superlative though outside UK more strict and most strict are more often used.

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

External links

  • strict in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • strict in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

French

Etymology

Borrowing from Latin strictus, perfect participle of stringere ‎(“to draw tight, bind, contract”). Doublet of étroit.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /stʁikt/

Adjective

strict m ‎(feminine singular stricte, masculine plural stricts, feminine plural strictes)

  1. strict

Derived terms

Etymology

From Latin strictus, past participle of stringere ‎(“to draw tight, bind, contract”). See stringent, strain.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /strɪkt/
  • Rhymes: -ɪkt

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