strait-laced

or straight-laced

[ streyt-leyst ]
/ ˈstreɪtˈleɪst /

adjective

excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical; prudish: strait-laced censors.
tightly laced, as a bodice.
wearing tightly laced garments.

Origin of strait-laced

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

OTHER WORDS FROM strait-laced

strait-lac·ed·ly [streyt-ley-sid-lee, -leyst-lee] /ˈstreɪtˈleɪ sɪd li, -ˈleɪst li/, adverb strait-lac·ed·ness, noun

Definition for strait-laced (2 of 2)

strait-lace
[ streyt-leys ]
/ ˈstreɪtˌleɪs /

verb (used with object), strait-laced, strait-lac·ing.

to bind, confine, or restrain with or as if with laces.

Origin of strait-lace

First recorded in 1630–40; back formation from strait-laced

Example sentences from the Web for strait-laced

British Dictionary definitions for strait-laced

strait-laced

straight-laced


adjective

prudish or puritanical