strait Hear it!

strait Definition

strait (strāt)

adjective

  1. Archaic restricted or constricted; narrow; tight; confined
  2. Archaic strict; rigid; exacting
  3. Now Rare straitened; difficult; distressing

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

noun

  1. Rare a narrow passage
  2. a narrow waterway connecting two large bodies of water
  3. difficulty; distress
  4. Rare an isthmus

strait Synonyms

strait

n.

  1. A channel

    inlet, canal, sound, narrows; see channel 1.

  2. Difficulty

    distress, crisis, plight, emergency; see difficulty 1, 2. See syn. study at emergency.

strait Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cross: On the invasion of Italy there were scores of small craft crossing the straits all with their little fires flickering in the dark.
  • enter: They entered the straits at 3.40 on the morning of 3 June with two torpedos left.
  • go: Jean went strait from Istanbul to Weston super Mare for the Green Party Conference.
  • come: Delicious barbecues, American and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and baked snacks come strait from the oven.
  • overlook: Extensions Why not extend your holiday with 4 nights at the medium class Chateau Miramar hotel overlooking the straits of Florida.

Preposition: between

island: They were, obviously, either running in a narrow strait between two islands, or into a bay.

Adjective modifier

  • dire: We're in such dire straits in every age group.
  • desperate: By the time I realized I wasn't going to get any more software work in 2002 I was in quite desperate financial straits.
  • narrow: They were, obviously, either running in a narrow strait between two islands, or into a bay.
  • financial: You must indeed be in dire financial straits at the moment.
  • such: We're in such dire straits in every age group.
  • great: I propose to act bravely, but when even a small temptation comes I find myself in great straits.

Modifies a noun

  • jacket: His job is to escape the strait jacket, which is, yes, ok, fairly straight forward.
  • gate: For every second of time was the strait gate through which the Messiah might enter ' ?
  • line: Each object has the capability to move during that time in a strait line.
  • way: The strait way of Christ better then the broad way of this world.
  • waistcoat: Pray do not put me in a strait waistcoat.

Modifying Another Word

so: Or is it so strait that you perceive you can make no progress therein with such a load?

Noun used with modifier

home: Now onto the home strait, our Reading experience ended with two of the most outstanding performances we'd witnessed all weekend.

Preposition: of

water: The Dardanelles are the narrow straits of water giving access to the Sea of Marmara.