strait-laced
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strait´-laced´ly — strait laced «STRAYT LAYST», adjective. 1. very strict in matters of conduct; prudish: »I m not strait laced, but I tell you we got to have decent women in our schools (Sinclair Lewis). SYNONYM(S): stiff, formal. 2. Archaic. a) tightly laced. b) … Useful english dictionary
strait-laced — strait lacedly /strayt lay sid lee, layst lee/, adv. strait lacedness, n. /strayt layst /, adj. 1. excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical; prudish: strait laced censors. 2. tightly laced, as a bodice. 3. wearing tightly laced… … Universalium
Strait-laced — a. 1. Bound with stays. [1913 Webster] Let nature have scope to fashion the body as she thinks best; we have few well shaped that are strait laced. Locke. [1913 Webster] 2. Restricted; stiff; constrained. [R.] Fuller. [1913 Webster] 3. Rigid in … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
strait-laced — strait′ laced or straight laced adj. 1) excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical 2) tightly laced, as a bodice 3) wearing tightly laced garments • Etymology: 1400–50 strait′ lac ed•ly, adv … From formal English to slang
strait-laced — [strait′lāst′] adj. 1. Archaic a) tightly laced, as a corset b) wearing tightly laced garments 2. narrowly strict or severe in behavior or moral views … English World dictionary
strait-laced — UK / US or straight laced UK [ˌstreɪt ˈleɪst] / US [ˈstreɪt ˌleɪst] adjective showing disapproval morally very strict and old fashioned • See: straight laced … English dictionary
strait-laced — (adj.) 1540s, of stays or bodices; figurative sense of over precise, prudish is from 1550s; see STRAIT (Cf. strait) (n.) + LACE (Cf. lace) (v.) … Etymology dictionary
strait-laced — (also straight laced) ► ADJECTIVE ▪ having or showing very strict moral attitudes … English terms dictionary
strait-laced — [adj] prudish old maidish, priggish*, prim, prissy*, proper, puritanical, rigid, square, starchy, stiff*, strict, stuffy, uptight*, Victorian*; concept 401 … New thesaurus
strait-laced — also straight laced, straitlaced ADJ GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone as strait laced, you disapprove of them because they have very strict views about what kind of behaviour is moral or acceptable. He was criticised for being boring … English dictionary
