STRAITEN

straiten. Straiten, v.t. to make direct or narrow, to distress

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Strait″en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Straitened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Straitening.] 1. 1. To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine.
Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise. Bacon. In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe. Milton. 2. 2. To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
They straiten at each end the cord. Pope. 3. 3. To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means or conditions of life; — used chiefly in the past participle; — as, a man straitened in his circumstances.