Strict \Strict\, a. [Compar. Stricter; superl. Strictest.]

[L. strictus, p. p. of stringere to draw or bind tight, to strain. See Strain, and cf. Strait, a.]

1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature. --Dryden.

2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.

3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention. --Shak.

It shall be still in strictest measure. --Milton.

4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. ``Through the strict senteries.'' --Milton.

5. Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.

6. (Bot.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.

Syn: Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe.

Usage: Strict, Severe. Strict, applied to a person, denotes that he conforms in his motives and acts to a principle or code by which he is bound; severe is strict with an implication often, but not always, of harshness. Strict is opposed to lax; severe is opposed to gentle.

And rules as strict his labored work confine, As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line. --Pope.

Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: - ``What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!'' --Milton.

The Strict Observance, or Friars of the Strict Observance. (R. C. Ch.) See Observance.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)