strict

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere (“to draw tight, bind, contract”). Doublet of strait and stretto. See stringent, strain.

adj

1. Strained; drawn close; tight.
   strict embrace
   strict ligature
2. Tense; not relaxed.
   strict fiber
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously particular.
   to keep strict watch
   to pay strict attention
4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
   they are very strict in observing the Sabbath
   No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts. 1905, Baroness Emmuska Orczy, chapter 2, in The Hocussing of Cigarette
5. Rigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.
   to understand words in a strict sense
6. (botany) Upright, or straight and narrow; — said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
7. Severe in discipline.
   Our teacher was always very strict. If we didn't behave, we would get punished.
   It was a very strict lesson.
8. (set theory, order theory) Irreflexive; if the described object is defined to be reflexive, that condition is overridden and replaced with irreflexive.