1. (a.) Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature.

2. (a.) Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.

3. (a.) Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention.

4. (a.) Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath.

5. (a.) Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.

6. (a.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.