2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep
strict watch; to pay strict attention. --Shak.
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.'' --Milton.
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}.