/strayt"n/ , v.t.
1. to put into difficulties, esp. financial ones: His obligations had straitened him.
2. to restrict in range, extent, amount, pecuniary means, etc: Poverty straitens one's way of living.
3. Archaic.
a. to make narrow.
b. to confine within narrow limits.
[ 1515-25; STRAIT + -EN 1 ]