STRAIT

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estreit, from Latin strictus ~, strict, from past participle of stringere Date: 13th century strict , rigorous , 2. archaic narrow , limited in space or time, closely fitting ; constricted, tight , 3. causing distress ; difficult , limited as to means or resources, ~ly adverb ~ness noun II. adverb Date: 13th century in a close or tight manner, III. noun Date: 14th century 1. a narrow space or passage, a comparatively narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water, isthmus , a situation of perplexity or distress, see: juncture