STRAITEN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Straiten

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verb

Straiten v. t. (past & past part. straitened; pres. part. straitening)

To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine. "Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise." "In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe."

To make tense, or tight; to tighten. "They straiten at each end the cord."

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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Etymology of 'Straiten'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Straiten" Quotes from Famous Books

... gold, as likewise the instrument, containing the title to the ship which his son was in, and which he offered as security for the remainder. But really when I saw so much goodness, generosity, tenderness, and real honesty, I had not the heart to accept it, for fear he should straiten himself upon my account. It is true, said he, it may be so; but then the money is yours, not mine, and you may have the greatest occasion for it. However, I returned fifty of them back again, promising that I would freely forgive ...

— The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of - York, Mariner (1801) • Daniel Defoe

... political tenets as certain and uncontroverted. Taught to consider even the ancient laws and constitution more as lines to direct his conduct, than barriers to withstand his power; a conspiracy to erect new ramparts, in order to straiten his authority, appeared but one degree removed from open sedition and rebellion. So atrocious in his eyes was such a design, that he seems even unwilling to impute it to the commons; and though he was constrained to adjourn the parliament by reason of the plague, ...

— The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part E. - From Charles I. to Cromwell • David Hume