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

For indeed, Fate full of marvel is: If      fortune straiten thee one day, the next relief is nigh.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume I by Payne, John

They said, "O Sir, it is long betwixt meals, and we are in a starving condition; all is good, sweet and wholesome that you deliver; but why do you so straiten us?"

From Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies by Howie, John

It is known that statutes made, not to open and enlarge, but on fair grounds to straiten proofs, require two witnesses in cases of high treason.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 11 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

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)

But yet in an hour, I did have the cloak about her, again; and so did straiten matters, as you shall conceive.

From The Night Land by Hodgson, William Hope