straiten

[ streyt-n ]

/ ˈstreɪt n /

to put into difficulties, especially financial ones: His obligations had straitened him.

to restrict in range, extent, amount, pecuniary means, etc: Poverty straitens one's way of living.

Archaic.

Origin of straiten

First recorded in 1515–25; strait + -en¹

un·strait·ened, adjective

Hatsell, Baron—Mr. Cowper, I would not have you straiten yourself, but only ask those questions that are pertinent.

State Trials Vol. 2 (of 2) |Various
Col. Harden, at the same time, with a body of mounted militia, had it in charge to straiten the enemy upon the Edisto.

The Life of Francis Marion |William Gilmore Simms
I want you to consider what per cent you can pay, and not straiten yourselves too much.

Hope Mills |Amanda M. Douglas
He told me he could not say but it might straiten him a little; but, however, it was my money, and I might want it more than he.

The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1808) |Daniel Defoe

O love immense and independent, which nothing can limit or straiten!

Spiritual Torrents |Jeanne Marie Bouvires de la Mot Guyon

straiten

/ (ˈstreɪtən) /

(tr; usually passive) to embarrass or distress, esp financially

(tr) to limit, confine, or restrict

archaic to make or become narrow