a. Forms: 6 stryckt, 6–7 strickt, stricte, 7 (8–9 dial.) strick, 6– strict. [ad. L. strict-us drawn together, tight, severe, rigid, pa. pple. of stringĕre to draw or bind tight. Cf. F. strict (18th c.), and see STRAIT a.]
I. Physical senses. Cf. STRAIT a. I.
† 1. Drawn or pressed tightly together; tight, close. Obs.
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 874. She wildly breaketh from their strict imbrace.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 925. Their [the Bones] Articulations and Compositions many dissolute and laxe, many strict and close.
1694. in Phil. Trans., XVIII. 17. Her Thighs, Leggs, and Feet were … so extreamly elevated with a watry Humour, that upon a strict impress I could have buried three or four Fingers. Ibid., 43. A fresh Flux of Blood happened, and strict Bandage was applied.
1712. Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. App. iii. The fatal Noose perform’d its Office, and with most strict Ligature, squeez’d the Blood into his Face.
1781. Cowper, Retirement, 234. As woodbine weds the plant within her reach,… Strait’ning its growth by such a strict embrace.
quasi-adv. 1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., iv. (1653), 86. The Russian Ladies tie up their Foreheads so strict with fillets.
b. Stretched taut. rare–1.
1858. W. H. Russell, Diary India (1860), II. 207. We sat and listened to the rain falling on the strict canvas of the tents till dinner-time.
† 2. ‘Strung up,’ tense; not slack or relaxed. Obs.
1578. Banister, Hist. Man, VI. 86. This coate of the Testicle … sheweth the nature of a certaine strict, and long Muscle.
1731. Arbuthnot, Aliments, vi. (1735), 157. We feel our Fibres grow strict or lax, according to the State of the Air.
b. Of frost: Keen, hard. rare–1.
1893. Stevenson, Catriona, xxviii. Late in the night, in a strict frost, and my teeth chattering, I … considered [etc.].
3. Restricted as to space or extent; narrow, drawn in. Cf. STRAIT a. 2–4. Now rare or Obs.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 50 b. The Breaste being anguste and stricte.
1603. B. Jonson, Entert. Queen & Prince at Althrope, 13. And when slow Time hath made you fit for war, Looke ouer the strict Ocean, and thinke where You may but leade us forth.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 214. In ulcers and fistula’s scarce a better medicine is found, to enlarge a strict orifice.
1675. R. Burthogge, Causa Dei, 36. I am apt to think that Hell is of a Vast Extent, and that the bounds and limits of it, are not so strict and narrow, as the most imagine.
1828. Wordsw., Power of Sound, i. Strict passage, through which sighs are brought.
† b. Of handwriting: Compressed. Obs.
1648. E. Sparke, Shute’s Sarah & Hagar, Ep. Ded. Penned in so diminutive a Letter, writ in so strict an Hand, (the wonder of Youth to read, much more of Age to write it).
4. Straight and stiff. Obs. exc. Bot. and Zool. (see quots.).
1592. R. D., Hypnerotomachia, 37. The Chapters which stood vpon their strict and vpright Antes.
[1793. Martyn, Lang. Bot., Strictus, stiff and straight. Strict will not do in English, and I do not recollect that we have any one word to express this idea.]
1857. A. Gray, First Less. Bot., 232. Strict, close and narrow; straight and narrow.
1870. Hooker, Stud. Flora, 328. Euphorbia exigua … branches 6–15 in., erect and strict, or prostrate curved and ascending.
1891. Century Dict., s.v., The strict stem of some corals.
II. Figurative senses.
5. Of personal relations, alliance, etc.: Close, intimate. Now rare or Obs.
1600. Marston, etc., Jack Drums Entert., III. (1601), F 2 b. By that strickt bond of loue that lincks our hearts.
1611. Sir D. Carleton, Lett., 7 Sept., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 533. There is now notoriously discovered a stricte intelligence betweene ye Spaniards and the Albanesi.
1677. Sir R. Southwell, in Essex Papers (Camden), II. 110. A new address to his Majesty for entring into a stricter Confederation with the Allies.
1719–20. Steele, Theatre, No. 12, ¶ 6. There never was a more strict friendship than between those Gentlemen.
1834. De Quincey, Autob. Sk., Wks. 1854, II. 345. My intercourse with him was at no time very strict.
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 541. The ill concealed hostile disposition in which Don Juan Manuel had found the court of Rome … had been converted into the strictest union by his efforts.
† b. Of a council: Secret, privy. After F. conseil estroit (Cotgr.). Obs.
1606. B. Barnes, Offices, I. 2. As at this day in Fraunce; where Les generalx des finances, & les presedents des accomptes, haue a prioritie … before both the Counsels strict and at large.
6. Of correspondence, agreement or connection between facts, ideas, etc.: Close, exactly fitting.
1715. Atterbury, Serm. (Matt. xxvii. 25) (1734), I. 124. Some Circumstances which shew how strict a Correspondence there was between their Crime and their Punishment.
1762. Kames, Elem. Crit., i. (1833), 20. Where ideas are left to their natural course, they are continued through the strictest connections.
1850. Pusey, Minor Proph., 38/2. The strictest explanation is the truest.
Comb. (quasi-adv.) 1787. Polwhele, Engl. Orator, III. 675. Like the abstruser Rules Of Logic link’d by strict-connecting Chain.
† 7. Restricted or limited in amount, meaning, application, etc. Obs.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lviii. § 2. Definitions, whether they be framed larger to augment, or stricter to abridge the number of sacraments.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., V. iv. 17. To satisfie If of my Freedome ’tis the maine part, take No stricter render of me, then my All.
1620. T. Granger, Div. Logike, 336. Here the predicate is more strict in signification then the subiect.
1737. Waterland, Eucharist, 42. The Word Sacrament is of great Latitude, and capable of various Significations, (some stricter and some larger).
8. Accurately determined or defined; exact, precise, not vague or loose. † Of particulars: Enumerated or described in exact detail.
1631. Milton, Sonn., ii. 10. It shall be still in strictest measure eev’n To that same lot.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., ii. 6. Though we meet not with such strict particulars of these parts, before the new Institution of Constantine.
1692. Atterbury, Serm. (Ps. l. 14) (1726), I. 13. According to the strict Import of the Word.
1760. Cautions & Advices to Officers of Army, 130. He may in a stricter Sense be called, The Officer of the Day than of the Guard.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages, viii. III. (1819), III. 273. These [lieutenancies] do not however bear a very close analogy to regencies in the stricter sense, or substitutions during the natural incapacity of the sovereign.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. I. ii. If the very Rocks and Rivers (as Metaphysic teaches) are, in strict language, made by those Outward Senses of ours.
1875. E. White, Life in Christ, IV. xxiv. (1876), 394. Public legislative documents, in which important words are to be always taken in their strictest and most direct definition.
b. With defining word: Restricted to the exact use or definition indicated by the word.
1842. Loudon, Suburban Hort., 23. The fruit, in a strict botanical sense, is the mature pistillum.
1891. Century Dict., Strict 8. Restricted; taken strictly, narrowly, or exclusively: as, a strict generic or specific diagnosis.
c. Of a calculated or measured result: Precise, exact; opposed to approximate.
1791. Smeaton, Edystone L. (1793), § 261, note. The masons were employed in reducing the whole area of the work to a strict level.
d. Law. Strict settlement: see quot. 1841.
1710. T. Vernon, Chanc. Cases (1728), II. 659. By Proof it appears a strict Settlement was intended.
1791. C. Fearne, Contingent Remainders (ed. 4), I. 129. The limitation to her [the wife] for life, and a subsequent one to the heirs of her body by the husband have been decreed to operate by way of strict settlement.
1835. Tomlins’ Law Dict., II. 3 Q. s.v. Remainder, In these strict settlements, the estate is unalienable till the first son attains the age of twenty-one.
1841. H. J. Stephen, Comm. Laws Eng., I. vii. I. 307. When land is settled … by a limitation to the parent for life, and after his death to his first and other sons in tail, and trustees are interposed to preserve the contingent remainders, this is called a strict settlement.
9. Of confinement or imprisonment: Rigorous; severely restricted in regard to space or liberty of movement.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 321. To remaine In strictest bondage.
1685. in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 400. ’Tis true our confinement is not strict.
1756–7. trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), I. 397. Your brother shall be kept in strict custody.
1869. Annie Harwood, trans. E. De Pressensé’s Early Years Chr., II. ii. 166. The captivity of the apostle [Paul] became increasingly strict.
10. Of watch and ward, authority, discipline, obedience, etc.: Rigorously maintained, admitting no relaxation or indulgence.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. i. 71. This same strict and most obseruant Watch.
1613. Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, II. i. What maister holds so strickt a hand ouer his boy, That he will part with him without one warning.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 783. Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the South With strictest watch.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, liii. 54. A Prince’s Leaving his Bus’ness Wholly to his Ministers without a Strict Eye over them in their Respective Offices.
1706. E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 72. He keeps so strict a Hand over his Crew, that he won’t suffer them to Keep one Holy-Day.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Rand., xxix. [He] gave the second mate a caution to keep a strict guard over his tongue.
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, xlii. V. 205. He … every where maintained strict discipline among his troops.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xiii. III. 341. His temper was under strict government.
11. Of a law, ordinance, etc., or its execution: Stringent and rigorous in its demands or provisions, allowing no evasion.
1578. Whetstone, 2nd Pt. Promos & Cass., II. v. Their crafte, they collour so, As styll they haue, stryckt lawe vpon their side.
1580. E. Knight, Trial Truth, 5. There shall neede no such strickt order to mooue them therunto.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 903. Rather how hast thou yeelded to transgress The strict forbiddance…?
1699. Evelyn, Diary, 24 Nov. To punish offenders and put the laws in more strict execution.
1789. W. Buchan, Dom. Med. (1790), 499. During … the second stage of the disorder, though so strict a regimen is not necessary as in the first or inflammatory state, yet intemperance of every kind must be avoided.
1834. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, xi. The Duke had given him strict orders to follow my commands implicitly.
1835. Thirlwall, Greece, vii. I. 290. From the beginning of their eighteenth year they were subjected to a stricter rule.
1913. J. H. Morrison, Trail Pioneers, xiv. 65. This purdah system is strictest in the north, where Mohammedans are most numerous, but its baneful influence is felt all over India.
b. Of a legal instrument or provision: Stringent.
1739. J. Richards, Annuities on Lives, 96. This is often the Case, let the Covenants of the Lease be ever so strict and binding.
c. quasi-adv.
1721. Ramsay, Scribblers Lashed, 191. We order strict, that all refrain.
12. Of an art or science, its procedure, etc.: Characterized by rigid conformity to rules or postulates.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 31. Wee should not too much accustome our selves to a strict course of Imitation.
a. 1677. Barrow, Expos. Creed (1697), 43. Which is a most reasonable proceeding and conformable to the method used in the strictest sciences.
1777. Priestley, Matt. & Spir. (1782), I. xx. 259. I do not … find the strict immaterial system in any writer earlier than our Sir Kenelm Digby.
1796. Kollmann, Ess. Mus. Harmony, xv. 114. Of strict or free Imitation.
1834. Mrs. Somerville, Connex. Phys. Sc., xiv. 109. It is proved … by strict mathematical reasoning, that [etc.].
1861. Paley, Æschylus (ed. 2), Persians, 43. The penult should perhaps be long in strict prosody.
1869. Ouseley, Counterpoint, ii. 6. The only concords recognized in strict counterpoint are the perfect octave [etc.].
1873. H. C. Banister, Music (1877), 176–7. Imitation may be only of the general form of a passage…. Or the intervals may be exactly imitated, which is termed STRICT Imitation.
1880. E. Gurney, Power of Sound, xix. 430. Greek iambic verse was less strict in this respect.
13. Of a quality or condition, an attitude or line of action: Maintained to the full, admitting no deviation or abatement; absolute, entire, complete, perfect. (Cf. 15 b.)
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., IV. iii. 165. O me, with what strict patience haue I sat, To see a King transformed to a Gnat? Ibid. (1593), Rich. II., II. i. 80. The pleasure that some Fathers feede vpon, Is my strict fast, I meane my Childrens lookes. Ibid. (1607), Timon, III. v. 24. You vndergo too strict a Paradox, Stríuing to make an vgly deed looke faire.
1663. Bp. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xxxix. (1687), 521. But that is no more than strict Justice exacts.
1753. Richardson, Grandison (1754), II. iii. 21. All this shall be mentioned to Lady D. in strict confidence.
1822. Shelley, Faust, ii. 262. In truth, I generally go about In strict incognito.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 265. In his public acts he observed a strict neutrality.
1858. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., I. iii. I. 39. A pleasant attractive physiognomy; which may be considered better than strict beauty.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. x. 67. A man of the strictest prudence.
1898. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Roden’s Corner, xiv. 152. I should recommend a strict reticence on this matter.
1907. J. A. Hodges, Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6), 27. The observance of strict cleanliness.
b. Of truth, accuracy, etc.: Exactly and rigidly observed; exactly answerable to fact or reality.
1748. Melmoth, Fitzosborne Lett., lxi. (1749), II. 109. I may venture, however, to assert … that the Muses are, in strict truth, of heavenly extraction.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., i. I would not have you think all I said of him, even now, was strict gospel.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. II. 80. Two prerogatives, of which the limits had never been defined with strict accuracy.
14. Rigorous and severe in rule and discipline, in administering justice, etc.; not lax or indulgent.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 204 (Qo.). This strict Court of Venice must needes giue sentence gainst the Merchant there. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., I. ii. 186. Implore her in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputie.
1621. Fletcher, Thierry & Theod., I. i. A Monasterie, A most strickt house; a house where none may whisper.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, VI. 582. Minos, the strict Inquisitor, appears.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, ix. The King … ought to have been … liberal in rewarding services, strict in punishing crimes.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, iii. 31. Who was now remembered to have been particularly strict … about having the whole establishment in good order.
1850. H. Melville, White Jacket, I. xxix. 191. Three of these officers … were strict disciplinarians.
1904. F. D. How, Six Great Schoolm., 253. He [G. G. Bradley] was extremely strict with the Masters in spite of the sympathy and kindness he showed them.
b. of fate, necessity.
1608. Shaks., Per., III. iii. 7. O your sweet Queene! that the strict fates had pleas’d, you had brought her hither to haue blest mine eies with her!
1667. Milton, P. L., VI. 869. But strict Fate had cast too deep Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound. Ibid., X. 131. But strict necessitie Subdues me, and calamitous constraint.
1700. Dryden, Cock & Fox, 528. Not forc’d to Sin by strict necessity.
15. Of persons: Holding a rigorous and austere standard of living; stern to oneself in matters of conscience and morality.
[1578: cf. STRICTNESS 3.]
1614. W. B., Philos. Banquet (ed. 2), 105. They abstained from all flesh and wines…; nay, so strict they were, they seldom eate Bread.
1634. Milton, Comus, 109. Strict Age, and sowre Severity.
1648. Fairfax, etc., Remonstrance, 21. Consciencious, strickt in manners, sober, serious.
1662. in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 173. My sister says the queen is very hansom, and I hear very stricte in her carage.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch, Cato Ynger., V. 49. The whole course of his life was strict and austere.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. IV. iv. With a strict painful mind.
1860. Thackeray, Lovel, vi. (1861), 237. My mother and sisters are dissenters, and very strict. I couldn’t ask a party into my family who has been [on the stage].
1893. ‘Mark Rutherford,’ Cath. Furze, I. vi. 98. On many points their ‘views’ were ‘strict’—whatever that singular phrase may have meant.
Comb. 1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. IV. iv. A strict-minded, strait-laced man!
b. of virtue, chastity, etc. (Cf. 13.)
1589. Warner, Albion’s Eng., Æneidos, 153. Greater is the wonder of your strickt chastity.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. iv. 67. Is all your strict precisenesse come to this?
1671. Milton, Samson, 319. Against his vow of strictest purity.
1705. Mrs. Centlivre, Gamester, III. (1708), 30. A Gentleman that plays is admitted every where—Women of the strictest Vertue will converse with him.
1905. F. Harrison, Chatham, iv. 56. William Pitt, the son, was the statesman who finally established strict honour in the public service.
16. Undeviating in adherence to the principles or practice implied by the designation.
c. 1660. in J. Morris, Troubles Catholic Forefathers, Ser. I. (1872), vi. 257. A good devout Sister, and very strict in regular observance.
1661. in Extr. St. Papers rel. Friends, Ser. II. (1911), 125. Persons of most exemplar regular Course of life … yet extreame strict to the rules of there profession.
1666. E. Mountagu, in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 8. If the young Lord was a strict and a grounded Papist.
1718. Prior, Poems, Ded. (1905), p. xx. He was so strict an Observer of his Word, that no Consideration whatever, could make him break it. Ibid. (c. 1721), Vicar of Bray & Sir T. More (1907), 259. This Strict adherence to Truth.
1801. J. Thomson, Poems Sc. Dial., 81. To leave the Kirk ye surely mean, An’ turn a strict Seceder clean.
1853. Lytton, My Novel, I. ix. The Hazeldeans … were great sportsmen and strict preservers.
1861. Contrib. Eccl. Hist. Connecticut, 280. The new churches, called Separates, or, as they preferred, Strict Congregationalists.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), II. App. 653. The feeling on the subject among strict churchmen comes out very forcibly.
1884. Earl Malmesbury, Mem. Ex-Minister, I. 14. Mr. Bowle was … a strict observer of saints’ days and dates.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. I. v. 62. Every vote given by the members of the Commission was a strict party vote.
17. Of inquiry, investigation, inspection, observation, calculation, and the like: Characterized by close and unrelaxing effort, so as to let nothing escape notice.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., III. ii. 149. And I will call him to so strict account, That he shall render euery Glory vp.
1617. L. Digges, trans. Claudian’s Rape Proserpine, I. C 4. The god, vnto this vnexpected newes Gaue strict attention.
1696. Tate & Brady, Ps. cxxxix. 1. Thou, Lord, by strictest search hast known My rising up and lying down.
1699. Flying Post, 6–9 May, 2/1. The Coroners Jury have … upon strict Inquiry found it was accidental.
1710. Swift, Examiner, No. 17, ¶ 2. Is he not severely us’d by the Ministry or Parliament, who yearly call him to a strict Account?
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 317. To take the strictest observation they could of the plain.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, II. i. Upon a strict review, I blotted out several passages.
1755. J. Ellis, Corallines, 52. The Vesicles, on the strictest Examination, appear to have no Opening into them.
1839. Dickens, Nich. Nick., viii. Mrs. Squeers … instituted a stricter search after the spoon.
1855. Orr’s Circ. Sci., Inorg. Nat., 45. The knowledge of this fact soon leads to the more strict investigation of the nature of the deposits thus noticed.
b. with an agent-noun.
1668. Hale, Rolle’s Abridgmt., Pref. 2. He was a strict Searcher and Examiner of businesses.
