Sc. Chiefly in form strict. [perh. related to STRIKE v. 1 c, to flow.] Of running water: Swift, rapid.
1629. Z. Boyd, Last Battell, 1075. Furnish him with strength, whereby he may row against the strictest streams of all temptations.
a. 1808. State, Leslie of Powis v. Fraser of Fraserfield, 60 (Jam.). That the said dike … stems and calms the water where the shot is felled, while otherwise it would be a strict current.
1808. Jamieson, Strict [ed. 1879 Strick, strict], rapid. The stream’s very strict, it runs rapidly.
1812. J. J. Henry, Campaign against Quebec, 34. Some strict water interfered, but in a few days we came to the first pond.
absol. 1825. Jamieson, Strick o’ the watter, the most rapid part of any stream.
