strait

Strait is narrow waterway between two larger bodies of water.

(noun)

An example of a strait is the Bering Strait.

The definition of a strait is a difficulty or a hard situation.

(noun)

An example of a strait is a poor family being in “dire straits.”

See strait in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Origin: ME streit < OFr estreit < L strictus: see strict

noun

See strait in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Abbr. Str. or St. A narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.
A position of difficulty, perplexity, distress, or need. Often used in the plural: in desperate straits.

adjective

a. Difficult; stressful.
b. Having or marked by limited funds or resources.
Archaic
a. Narrow.
b. Affording little space or room; confined.
c. Fitting tightly; constricted.
Archaic Strict, rigid, or righteous.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English streit, narrow, a strait

Origin: , from Old French estreit, tight, narrow

Origin: , from Latin strictus

Origin: , past participle of stringere, to draw tight; see streig- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: