Strict a. [Compar. Stricter superl. Strictest.]
 1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature.
 2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.
 3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention.
    It shall be still in strictest measure.   --Milton.
 4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. “Through the strict senteries.”
 5. Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
 6. Bot. Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
 Syn: -- Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe.
 Usage: Strict, Severe. Strict, applied to a person, denotes that he conforms in his motives and acts to a principle or code by which he is bound; severe is strict with an implication often, but not always, of harshness. Strict is opposed to lax; severe is opposed to gentle.
 And rules as strict his labored work confine,
 As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line.   --Pope.
 Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: -
 “What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!”   --Milton.
 The Strict Observance, or Friars of the Strict Observance. R. C. Ch. See Observance.
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