The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Strict \Strict\, a. [Compar. Stricter; superl. Strictest.]
   [L. strictus, p. p. of stringere to draw or bind tight, to
   strain. See Strain, and cf. Strait, a.]
   1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a
      strict ligature. --Dryden.
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   2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.
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   3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep
      strict watch; to pay strict attention. --Shak.
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            It shall be still in strictest measure. --Milton.
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   4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact
      rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the
      Sabbath. "Through the strict senteries." --Milton.
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   5. Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined;
      restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
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   6. (Bot.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the
      shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
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   Syn: Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe.

   Usage: Strict, Severe. Strict, applied to a person,
          denotes that he conforms in his motives and acts to a
          principle or code by which he is bound; severe is
          strict with an implication often, but not always, of
          harshness. Strict is opposed to lax; severe is opposed
          to gentle.
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                And rules as strict his labored work confine,
                As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line.
                                                  --Pope.
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                Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve:
                "What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!"
                                                  --Milton.
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   The Strict Observance, or Friars of the Strict
   Observance. (R. C. Ch.) See Observance.
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