Strict, a. [Compar. Stricter; superl. Strictest.]
Etymology: [L. strictus, p.p. of stringere to draw or bind tight, to strain. See Strain, and cf. Strait, a.]
1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature. Dryden.
2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention. Shak. It shall be still in strictest measure. Milton.
4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. "Through the strict senteries." Milton.
4 more senses
5. Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
6. (Bot.)
Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
Syn. -- Exact; accurate; nice; close; rigorous; severe. -- Strict, Severe. Strict, applied to a person, denotes that he conforms in his motives and acts to a principle or code by which he is bound; severe is strict with an implication often, but not always, of harshness. Strict is opposed to lax; severe is opposed to gentle. And rules as strict his labored work confine, As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line. Pope. Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: -"What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!" Milton. The Strict Observance, or Friars of the Strict Observance. (R. C. Ch.) See Observance.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for strict; he lists it under severe.
Where he writes about it:
Strict (L. stringo, bind) signifies bound or stretched tight, tense, strenuously exact. — from severe
Austere signifies severely simple or temperate, strict in self-restraint or discipline, and similarly unrelenting toward others. — from severe
We speak of austere morality, rigid rules, rigorous discipline, stern commands, severe punishment, harsh speech or a harsh voice, hard requirements, strict injunctions, and strict obedience. — from severe
Strict discipline holds one exactly and unflinchingly to the rule; rigorous discipline punishes severely any infraction of it. — from severe