[strict] adj [ME stricte, fr. L strictus, fr. pp. of stringere to bind tight--more at strain] (15c) 1 archaic a: tight, close; also: intimate b: narrow
2. a: stringent in requirement or control "under ~ orders" b: severe in discipline "a ~ teacher" 3 a: inflexibly maintained or adhered to "~ secrecy" b: rigorously conforming to principle or a norm or condition
4: exact, precise "in the ~ sense of the word"
5: of narrow erect habit of growth "a ~ inflorescence" syn see rigid -- strict.ly adv -- strict.ness n