Strait"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Straitened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Straitening.]
1.
To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine.
Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise.
Bacon.
In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe.
Milton.
2.
To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
They straiten at each end the cord.
Pope.
3.
To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means or conditions of life; -- used chiefly in the past participle; -- as, a man straitened in his circumstances.
© Webster 1913.