| 1. | characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles: a strict observance of rituals. |
| 2. | stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc.: strict laws; a strict judge. |
| 3. | closely or rigorously enforced or maintained: strict silence. |
| 4. | exact or precise: a strict statement of facts. |
| 5. | extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited: a strict construction of the Constitution. |
| 6. | close, careful, or minute: a strict search. |
| 7. | absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost: told in strict confidence. |
| 8. | stern; severe; austere: strict parents. |
| 9. | Obsolete. drawn tight or close. |

strict (strĭkt) adj. strict·er, strict·est
[Middle English stricte, narrow, small, from Latin strictus, tight, strict, past participle of stringere, to draw tight; see streig- in Indo-European roots.] strict'ly adv., strict'ness n. |