STRAIT. adj. A relative term, denoting the extent of space in certain circumstances. Opposed to wide, see WIDE.
1. This term is employed, in its proper sense, to denote only space, as contained between surrounding bodies in such circumstances as to denote some degree of confinement; and is exactly opposed to wide; as, a wide or a strait gate, &c. See WIDE.
2. So necessary is it that the idea of confinement should be connected with this word, that in all those cases where the space contained is large, as in a church or house, we cannot express a smaller proportional width by this term. And as we have no other word to express space in these circumstances, we have been obliged to force the word narrow from its natural signification, and make it express this. See NARROW.
3. In some particular cases narrow or strait may be employed to the same object; as, a narrow or a strait lane: but here strait is never employed but where an idea of confinement is suggested, and where it is exactly contrasted to wide; nor can narrow be employed but in such circumstances where broad would be a perfect contrast to it. Therefore these two terms may be always employed in the same circumstances as those which contrast them may be. For an account of which, see WIDE.
3. The term strait is likewise in a peculiar manner used to denote the smallness of the internal diameter of those small bodies which are fitted to receive or contain others as, any kind of bag, tube, body-cloaths, mortoises, and others of the same kind; and in all these cases this term may be employed to denote the smallness of their lesser diameter, and never the term narrow. But in certain circumstances the word tight may be substituted for it. See TIGHT.
4. Strait, in a figurative sense, denotes any sort of confinement of sentiment or disposition.