Category:Straiten

Strait"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Straitened; p. pr. & vb. n. Straitening.]

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

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

3. 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.