strait

strait

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

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

Origin: Middle English streit, narrow, a strait, from Old French estreit, tight, narrow, from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere, to draw tight; see streig- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

• straitˈly adverb

• straitˈness noun