straitlyadv.
/ˈstreɪtli/, U.S. /ˈstreɪtli/ 1. Tightly. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > [adverb] > tightly or closely
narroweOE
straitc1200
straitly1338
sore1377
short1533
nearly1587
strictly1641
snug1674
chock1768
snugly1800
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 337 He did þam fettre wele, streitly & right hard.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 29 Þof al it be bounden riȝt streitly at þe first tyme ȝitte vnneþe schal þe fretyng be complete in som men by a moneþ.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 407/3 Thenne eche kyssed other and enbraced straytely.
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 255 Let ye Ministers of Gods word learne to be straitlier laced then other men.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales xiv. ii. 200 Nero..embraced her more streightly then he was accustomed.
1653 H. More Second Lash of Alazonomastix 228 The soul may deem her self too straitly girt up.
1752 ‘H. Beaumont’ Crito 19 If it be a Child of the tenderer Sex, she must be bound yet more streightly about the Waist and Stomach.
1820 W. Scott Monastery III. vi. 168 Even that ruffian hesitated to draw the cord straitly.
1850 J. M. Neale Mediæval Hymns 12 Let thy loins be straitly girded.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [adverb] > urgently, pressingly, or importunately
straitly1340
effectuously1416
effectually1418
importunely1447
importunately1477
clamorously1532
urgently1548
praya1600
pressingly1760
besiegingly1821
clamantly1863
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5597 Þe croyce on whilk he dieghed for man Sal stratly pray ogayne þe þan.
c1440 Alphabet of Tales 15 A monke þat hight Hubertus..when he sulde dy,..askid straytlie þat þe abbott myght com vnto hym & assoyle hym.
3. † c. straitly stead adv. placed in straits, sore beset.† d. to look straitly to: to watch narrowly. Obsolete.
a. Narrowly; within narrow limits.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adverb] > with insufficient room
straitlyc1400
straita1450
narrowly?1533
pinchedly1883
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 674 At aither entre was, i wys, Straytly wroght, a port-culis.
a1504 Erthe upon Erthe (1911) 28/39 Erth hath closed them ful streytly in his bowre.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) ii. i. §8. 185 Yet is our capacity so much straitlier limited, that it cannot reach to any of their limits.
1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling ii. v. 188 I remember finding him lodged straitly but cheerfully,..in a little cottage on Blackheath.
1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith v. 230 Nature..straitly restrains that latent capacity for variation, so freely evolved under the hand of man.
b. With reference to a siege or the like: Closely, narrowly, strictly.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > [adverb] > of siege: closely
straitly1303
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3811 Þo was he beseged so streytly, Þat he durst come oute on no party.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. ii. 90 His gardes whiche wacchid and kept straytly thys forteresse.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 205 William the Conquerour, most straitly beleaguered it.
1728 J. Morgan Hist. Barbary Epitomiz'd in Compl. Hist. Algiers I. 170 His..Wizir..revolted, and straitly besieged him.
1889 H. R. Haggard Cleopatra i. iv And for answer Achillas marched on Cæsar, and besieged him straitly in the Bruchium at Alexandria.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [phrase] > in a difficult position > in straits
waterOE
straitly steadc1400
need-stead?c1450
at the worst hand1490
in suds1575
lock1598
at a bad hand1640
in a wood1659
in bad bread1743
up a stump1829
in a tight (also awkward, bad, etc.) spot1851
up shit creek1868
in the cart1889
in the soup1889
out on a limb1897
in a spot1929
up the creek1941
consommé1957
c1400 Melayne 42 He was full straytly stede.
c1440 York Myst. xxii. 187 Me thynke þat ȝe ware straytely stedde, Lorde, with þis fende þat nowe is fledde.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vii. 216 The kyng so stratly stad wes thair, That he wes neuer ȝeit swa stad.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe
keepc1000
overseeOE
waitc1300
advisec1325
awaita1375
to wait on ——c1384
markc1400
contemplec1429
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
to look straitly to?c1450
to wait after ——c1460
vizy1488
contemplatea1533
vise1551
pry?1553
observe1567
eye1592
over-eye?1592
watch1600
outwatch1607
spell1633
superintend1654
under-watch1654
tent1721
evigilate1727
twig1764
stag1796
eye-serve1800
spy1806
deek1825
screw1905
clock1911
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5022 He was so straytely loked to.
1568 T. Hacket tr. A. Thevet New Found Worlde xlii. 66 They dare doe no faulte: for their husbandes doe looke straightly to them [Fr. car les maris les regardent de prés].
a1569 A. Kingsmill Viewe Mans Estate (1580) viii. 42 If I have sinned, then thou wilt streightly looke unto mee.
1588 D. Rogers in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 151 Who of late did his best to escape away, which is the occasion that he is now the streightlier looked unto.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [adverb]
narrowlya1250
feeblyc1290
scarcely1340
straitly1340
strait1390
niggardly?1529
nighly1548
pinchingly1561
close-fisted1575
hard1580
niggishly1580
nearly1591
mincingly1593
costively1598
penuriously1616
neara1625
scantingly1627
parsimoniouslya1634
scrapingly1680
stingily1682
scrimply1690
sneakingly1695
churlishly1875
curmudgeonly1879
skinflintily1899
mingily1958
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 34 Auarice..zuo disordene him sseweþ in þri maneres..ine wynnynge boldeliche ine ofhealdinge streytliche ine spendinge scarsliche.
1614 in Liber Deposit. infra Archidiacon. Colcestrensem (MS) 1612–16 lf. 70 The Testator was kept so barely and so straightly from victualls by his wife, that he was driven vpon necessitie often tymes to begg.
5. † b. With regard to diet or mode of living. Obsolete.† c. In close confinement; under strict control.† d. With reference to punishment, judgement, etc.: Rigorously, unsparingly, severely. Obsolete.† e. Precisely, exactly. Obsolete.
a. Strictly, rigorously, stringently; with strictness of observance. Now only archaic with respect to commands, questions, or obligation.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > strictness > [adverb]
straitlyc1290
cruellyc1430
districtly1570
astrictly1584
strictly1651
stringently1866
ironly1895
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > [adverb]
straitlyc1290
holilyc1374
strait1390
unpartingly1435
ritelyc1475
religiously1534
heedfully1561
rigorouslya1564
heedily1577
officiously1582
strictly1597
punctually1598
ritually1612
unadulterously1643
observantially1652
righteously1748
c1290 Beket 163 in S.E. Leg. 111 So streitliche heo fraynede him.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 322 Siþ þe contrarie is soþ, to whiche þise ordris ben streytliche sworen.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6105 Moyses..straitlike for-bed þat þai Suld vtewit hus cum forwit dai.
1461 in J. Raine Inventories & Acct. Rolls Benedictine Houses Jarrow & Monk-Wearmouth (1854) 245 I John Lawyson, be ye Auctoryte of our holy fadre ye pope,..inhibite straeictly and command..ye priour of yis cathederall church..that [etc.].
1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 3 Preamble Dyvers enquestes..streitly sworne and charged before the seid Justices to enquyre of the premysses.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 414 Amongst the famous..personages of olde time, no vertue was..straightlier kept and obserued than Faith and Fidelitie.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. i. 17 I may not suffer you to visite him, The King hath straightlie [1623 strictly] charged the contrarie. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xiv. 28 Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath. View more context for this quotation
1676 J. Owen Brief Instr. Worship of God 31 Jesus Christ streightly enjoyns His disciples.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. vi. vi. 401 They question him straitly on that Mayor's-Order to resist force by force.
1872 Ld. Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 50 Bound am I to right the wrong'd, But straitlier bound am I to bide with thee.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage xii. 244 He straitly charged Minucius to follow his policy, and on no account to risk a battle in his absence.
1879 S. H. Butcher & A. Lang tr. Homer Odyssey iv. 63 Son of Atreus, why dost thou straitly question me hereof?
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > asceticism > [adverb]
austerely?a1400
straitly?1470
asceticallyc1800
?1470 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 348 He purposith to lesse his howshold and to leve the streytlyere.
c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 103 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 299 [Þai] straytly þe lyfe cane leyde anerly in vatyre & brede.
1520 Chron. Eng. iii. f. 25v They lyved straytlyer than other men dyd.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > confinement > [adverb]
straitc1330
covertly1430
straitly1487
at (also to) hard meat1542
close1562
closely1597
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xviii. 512 And bad haf him avay in hy, And luk he kepit war stratly.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. xiii. 49 They in the castell at Ierusalem were kepte so strately, that they coude not come forth.
?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 68 If thy daughter be not shamefast, holde hir straitly, least she abuse hir selfe thorow ouermuch libertie.
1633 T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia i. vii. 51 They were presently caried to Castle Lyshin,..and there straightly kept in Irons.
1687 Pennsylvania Arch. I. 98 And the said Pirats,..to cause to be streightly imprisoned and kept in safe Custody.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > strictness > [adverb] > strictly or severely of rules, judgement, or discipline
sharplyc900
fasteOE
straitlya1340
severely1548
sickerly1596
severe1599
strictly1602
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxlii. 2 Do noght straytly wiþ me in þi dome.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter, Song of Hannah 5 Straytly demand ȝoure ald errours.
1467 Coventry Leet Bk. 336 Vppon peyn streitly to be punysshed be þe Meir for the tyme beyng.
1560 MS. Cott. Cal. B. 10. lf. 290 The bishops have of late..dealt streightly with some persons of good religion.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. viii. sig. T7 So streightly God doth iudge.
1668 R. Steele Husbandmans Calling (1672) v. 121 Taking occasion from his straits, to deal straitly with him.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
a1395 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) 93 Also thise wordes that I write take hem not to streytly but there that the thynkith by gode auysement that I speke to shortly..I praye the amende it.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xiv. xlviii. 719 Moost streiteliche to speke, ager is a felde þat i[s] nouȝt conteynede in certeyne mesure of lynes.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 95 For had ye countid streytly, & no thing lefft be-hynde, I myȝte have wele I-demed þat ye be vnlaynde.
6. With reference to alliance or union: Closely, intimately. archaic. (Very common in 16–17th centuries.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > [adverb]
straitly1485
federally1702
confederately1832
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adverb] > intimately or familiarly > in close or intimate alliance
straitc1460
straitly1485
the world > relative properties > relationship > [adverb] > intimately or closely
home1532
close1576
intimately1665
straitly1690
congenially1752
kindredly1765
closely1841
1485 W. Caxton tr. Lyf St. Wenefryde 19 I shal the straitlyer be confedered to yow.
?a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Sheep & Dog l. 1178 in Poems (1981) 48 Quhilk wer confidderit straitlie in ane band.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 327 The hartes of the tua kingis straitlie knutt agane throuch beneuolent and true luue.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. i. §4. 333 The Selinuntines were streightly allied to the Syracusians.
a1677 J. Taylor Contempl. State Man (1684) ii. iv. 208 By how much a delectable Object is more..streightly united to the Faculty, by so much greater is the joy and delight which it produces.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. ix. 237 Weight..a Quality, as straitly join'd with that Colour [sc. yellow], as its Fusibility.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xci. 7 Yea tho' mutual use did bind us straitly together.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.c1290