strait
pronunciation
How to pronounce strait in British English:
UK [streɪt]
How to pronounce strait in American English:
US [streɪt]
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- Noun:
- a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
- a bad or difficult situation or state of affairs
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- Adjective:
- strict and severe
Word Origin
- strait
- strait: [12] Strait was originally an adjective and adverb, meaning ‘narrow’ or ‘tight’. It reached English via Old French estreit ‘narrow, tight’ from Latin strictus (source of English strict). Its use as a noun, ‘narrow waterway’, emerged in the 14th century, and the metaphorical straits ‘difficulties’ is a 16th-century development.=> strict
- strait (n.)
- mid-14c., "narrow, confined space or place," specifically of bodies of water from late 14c., from Old French estreit, estrait "narrow part, pass, defile, narrow passage of water," noun use of adjective (see strait (adj.)). Sense of "difficulty, plight" (usually straits) first recorded 1540s. Strait and narrow "conventional or wisely limited way of life" is recorded from mid-14c. (compare straight (adj.2)).
- strait (adj.)
- "narrow, strict" (late 13c.), from Old French estreit, estrait "tight, close-fitting, constricted, narrow" (Modern French étroit), from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere (2) "bind or draw tight" (see strain (v.)). More or less confused with unrelated straight (adj.). Related: Straightly.
Example
- 1. Would could happen if the strait is closed ?
- 2. The ban on direct transport across the strait has had similar effects .
- 3. I think this may be ...... telling us who torres strait islanders are .
- 4. American carriers normally avoid the strait in deference to china 's sensitivities .
- 5. A cargo ship plies the strait of georgia off vancouver , british columbia .