Part 861

The Strict Observance, or Friars of the Strict Observance. (R. C. Ch.) See Observance.

Stric"tion (?), n. [L. strictio. See Stringent.] The act of constricting, or the state of being constricted.

Line of striction (Geom.), the line on a skew surface that cuts each generator in that point of it that is nearest to the succeeding generator.

Strict"ly, adv. In a strict manner; closely; precisely.

Strict"ness, n. Quality or state of being strict.

Stric"ture (?), n. [L. strictura a contraction, from stringere, strictum, to draw tight: cf. F. stricture. See Strict.] 1. Strictness. [Obs.]

A man of stricture and firm abstinence.

Shak.

2. A stroke; a glance; a touch. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

3. A touch of adverse criticism; censure.

Hammond.

4. (Med.) A localized morbid contraction of any passage of the body. Cf. Organic stricture, and Spasmodic stricture, under Organic, and Spasmodic. Arbuthnot.

Stric"tured (?), a. (Med.) Affected with a stricture; as, a strictured duct.

Strid (?), n. [See Stride.] A narrow passage between precipitous rocks or banks, which looks as if it might be crossed at a stride. [Prov. Eng.] Howitt.

This striding place is called the Strid.

Wordsworth.

Stride (?), v. t. [imp. Strode (?) (Obs. Strid (&?;)); p. p. Stridden (?) (Obs. Strid); p. pr. & vb. n. Striding.] [AS. strdan to stride, to strive; akin to LG. striden, OFries. strda to strive, D. strijden to strive, to contend, G. streiten, OHG. strtan; of uncertain origin. Cf. Straddle.] 1. To walk with long steps, especially in a measured or pompous manner.

Mars in the middle of the shining shield Is graved, and strides along the liquid field.

Dryden.

2. To stand with the legs wide apart; to straddle.

Stride, v. t. 1. To pass over at a step; to step over. "A debtor that not dares to stride a limit." Shak.

2. To straddle; to bestride.

I mean to stride your steed.

Shak.

Stride, n. The act of stridding; a long step; the space measured by a long step; as, a masculine stride. Pope.

God never meant that man should scale the heavens By strides of human wisdom.

Cowper.

Stri"dent (?), a. [L. stridens, -entis, p. pr. of stridere to make a grating or creaking noise.] Characterized by harshness; grating; shrill. "A strident voice." Thackeray.