Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Strait \Strait\, a. [Compar. {Straiter}; superl. {Straitest}.]
   [OE. straight, streyt, streit, OF. estreit, estroit, F.
   ['e]troit, from L. strictus drawn together, close, tight, p.
   p. of stringere to draw tight. See 2nd {Strait}, and cf.
   {Strict}.]
   1. Narrow; not broad.

            Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
            leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
                                                  --Matt. vii.
                                                  14.

            Too strait and low our cottage doors. --Emerson.

   2. Tight; close; closely fitting. --Shak.

   3. Close; intimate; near; familiar. [Obs.] ``A strait degree
      of favor.'' --Sir P. Sidney.

   4. Strict; scrupulous; rigorous.

            Some certain edicts and some strait decrees. --Shak.

            The straitest sect of our religion.   --Acts xxvi. 5
                                                  (Rev. Ver.).

   5. Difficult; distressful; straited.

            To make your strait circumstances yet straiter.
                                                  --Secker.

   6. Parsimonious; niggargly; mean. [Obs.]

            I beg cold comfort, and you are so strait, And so
            ingrateful, you deny me that.         --Shak.