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Entry 6 senses Webster, 1913

Strict

/strĭkt/ · IPA /stɹɪkt/
01 a. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature.
  1. 1.
    Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature.
  2. 2.
    Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.
  3. 3.
    Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention.
    “It shall be still in strictest measure.” — Milton.
  4. 4.
    Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath.
  5. 5.
    Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
  6. 6.
    Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.(Bot.)
    “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.
Phrases & compounds
The Strict Observance — See Observance.
Syn. Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe.
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.