■ noun
1》 (also ~s ) a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or other large areas of water.
2》 ( ~s ) a situation characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty: in dire ~s.
■ adjective archaic
1》 narrow or cramped.
2》 strict or rigorous.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: shortening of OFr. estreit 'tight, narrow', from L. strictus (see strict ).