Part 860

2. Worn out; far gone; advanced. See Strike, v. t., 21.

Abraham was old and well stricken in age.

Gen. xxiv. 1.

3. Whole; entire; -- said of the hour as marked by the striking of a clock. [Scot.]

He persevered for a stricken hour in such a torrent of unnecessary tattle.

Sir W. Scott.

Speeches are spoken by the stricken hour, day after day, week, perhaps, after week.

Bayne.

Stric"kle (?), n. [See Strike.] 1. An instrument to strike grain to a level with the measure; a strike.

2. An instrument for whetting scythes; a rifle.

3. (Founding) An instrument used for smoothing the surface of a core.

4. (Carp. & Mason.) A templet; a pattern.

5. An instrument used in dressing flax. [Prov. Eng.]

Stric"kler (?), n. See Strickle.

Strick"less, n. See Strickle. [Prov. Eng.]

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.

2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.

3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention. Shak.

It shall be still in strictest measure.

Milton.

4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. "Through the strict senteries." Milton.

5. Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.

6. (Bot.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.

Syn. -- Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe. -- 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.

And rules as strict his labored work confine, As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line.

Pope.

Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: - "What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!"

Milton.