Straiten /(?)/

Strait·en

Straiten

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Straitened; p. pr. & vb. n. Straitening

  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.
    In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe.
  2. To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
    They straiten at each end the cord.
  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.