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. — 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, orFriars of the Strict Observance. (R. C. Ch.) See Observance.