Strait \Strait\, a. [Compar. Straiter; superl. Straitest.]
   [OE. straight, streyt, streit, OF. estreit, estroit, F.
   ['e]troit, from L. strictus drawn together, close, tight, p.
   p. of stringere to draw tight. See 2nd Strait, and cf.
   Strict.]
   1. Narrow; not broad.
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            Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
            leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
                                                  --Matt. vii.
                                                  14.
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            Too strait and low our cottage doors. --Emerson.
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   2. Tight; close; closely fitting. --Shak.
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   3. Close; intimate; near; familiar. [Obs.] "A strait degree
      of favor." --Sir P. Sidney.
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   4. Strict; scrupulous; rigorous.
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            Some certain edicts and some strait decrees. --Shak.
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            The straitest sect of our religion.   --Acts xxvi. 5
                                                  (Rev. Ver.).
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   5. Difficult; distressful; straited.
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            To make your strait circumstances yet straiter.
                                                  --Secker.
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   6. Parsimonious; niggargly; mean. [Obs.]
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            I beg cold comfort, and you are so strait,
            And so ingrateful, you deny me that.  --Shak.
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