stric ‧ ture /ˈstrɪktʃə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable often plural] formal
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: strictura 'tightening, narrowing' , from Latin strictus ; ⇨ ↑ strict ]
1 . a rule that strictly limits what you can do
stricture on/against
religious strictures on marriage
2 . a severe criticism