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, nounWords nearby strait-laced
straining arch,
straining piece,
straining sill,
strait,
strait-lace,
strait-laced,
straiten,
straitjacket,
straits dollar,
straits settlements,
strake
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