Strait″en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Straitened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Straitening.] 1. To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine.
Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise. Bacon.
In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe. Milton.
2. To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
They straiten at each end the cord. Pope.
3. To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means or conditions of life; — used chiefly in the past participle; — as, a man straitened in his circumstances.