strait-handed

comparative more strait-handed · superlative most strait-handed · alternative straithanded

1. archaicparsimonious; sparing; niggardly

   The Fear of passing for a Prodigal makes this Man so wretchedly covetous and strait-handed, that he will not assist the sincerest Friend on the most pressing Occasion.

   1743, Joseph Davidson, transl., The Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry of Horace, page 28

   2 more examples

   It is observable that is noted of those first converts, who were before strait-hearted and strait-handed, but when once made partakers of the Grace of God, how much they were enlarged, Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessours of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of things that were sold: And laid them downe at the Apostles feet, and distribution was made to every man, according as he had need.

   1643, Daniel Cawdrey, The good man a publick good

   For she said- “This is not the hour to be strait-handed; suffer that I take what seemeth good unto me and go before Saum, it may be that I move him to spare the land.”

   2006, Firdausi, Epic of Kings, →ISBN, page 76