DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Strait·en v. t. [imp. & p. p. Straitened p. pr. & vb. n. Straitening.]
 1. To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine.
    Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise.   --Bacon.
    In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe.   --Milton.
 2. To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
    They straiten at each end the cord.   --Pope.
 3. To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means or conditions of life; -- used chiefly in the past participle; -- as, a man straitened in his circumstances.
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 straitened
      adj : distressed or embarrassed (especially financially)