Definition for STRAIT'NESS

STRAIT'NESS, n.

  1. Narrowness; as, the straitness of a place; straitness of mind; straitness of circumstances. – Bacon.
  2. Strictness; rigor; as, the straitness of a man's proceedings. – Shak.
  3. Distress; difficulty; pressure from necessity of any kind, particularly from poverty.
  4. Want; scarcity; or rather narrowness; as, the straitness of the conveniences of life. – Locke.

Return to page 280 of the letter “S”.