straiten

American  

[streyt-n] / ˈstreɪt n /

verb (used with object)

1. to put into difficulties, especially financial ones.

   His obligations had straitened him.

2. to restrict in range, extent, amount, pecuniary means, etc.

   Poverty straitens one's way of living.

3. Archaic.

   1. to make narrow.

   2. to confine within narrow limits.

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straiten British  

/ ˈstreɪtən /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to embarrass or distress, esp financially

2. (tr) to limit, confine, or restrict

3. archaic to make or become narrow

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Etymology

Origin of straiten

First recorded in 1515–25; strait + -en ¹

Explanation

To straiten is to restrict financially, the way having your rent increase can straiten your circumstances if your salary stays the same. The verb straiten is an old-fashioned one, but it's one way to describe a situation that's been diminished or constrained, usually because of money problems. This meaning derives from an earlier definition, "to restrict or make narrow," from strait, "narrow." If you find your circumstances narrowed by a lack of finances, you'll know what this word is all about.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

straiten

Las Torres therefore determined to seize these places, which were distant about fifteen miles from his camp, and so to straiten the town for provisions.

From The Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in Spain by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

I absolutely must reform, for I do not propose that my father shall straiten himself for me; and that is what will happen if I continue to lead the life I have been leading.

From San-Cravate; or, The Messengers; Little Streams by Kock, Charles Paul de

P: Lodge them where ye dwell, according to your wealth, and harass them not so as to straiten life for them.

From Three Translations of The Koran (Al-Qur'an) side by side by Ali, Abdullah Yusuf

Cæsar's men daily carried on their works to straiten the enemy; those of Pompey, having the advantage of numbers, did the same to enlarge themselves, and severely galled the enemy by their slingers and archers.

From Pinnock's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History of Rome to which is prefixed an introduction to the study of Roman history, and a great variety of valuable information added throughout the work, on the manners, institutions, and antiquities of the Romans; with numerous biographical and historical notes; and questions for examination at the end of each section. By Wm. C. Taylor. by Pinnock, William

Husb.—It is very kind in you, my dear, and I must always acknowledge it; but, however, I would not have you straiten yourself too much neither.

From The Complete English Tradesman (1839 ed.) by Defoe, Daniel