Strict

Strict (strĭkt), 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, or Friars of the Strict Observance. (R. C. Ch.) See Observance.