STRICT, adjective [Latin See Strain.] 1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as a strict embrace; a strict ligature. 2. Tense; not relaxed; as a strict or lax fiber. 3. Exact; accurate; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch. Observe the strictest rules of virtue and decorum. 4. Severe; rigorous; governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; as, the father is very strict in observing the sabbath. The master is very strict with his apprentices. 5. Rigorous; not mild or indulgent; as strict laws. 6. Confined; limited; not with latitude; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI