strict

What it means

1. Strained; drawn close; tight.

   strict embrace

   1 more example

   strict ligature

   Synonyms: taut, tensioned, nonslack, strained, stretched, taut, tense, tensioned

2. Tense; not relaxed.

   strict fiber

3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously particular.

   to keep strict watch

   1 more example

   to pay strict attention

   Synonyms: correct, dead on, thorough, accurate, careful, surgical, comprehensive, solicitous

In a sentence

strict embrace

Where it comes from

1. Latinstrictus
2. Englishstrict

Borrowed from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere (“to draw tight, bind, contract”). Doublet of strait and stretto. See stringent, strain. Related to strong.