strict [LME] The source of strict is Latin strictus, based on stringere ‘to tighten or draw tight’, which also gave us strait (see straight). Stringent [M17th] and its variant astringent [M16th] are from constringere constrict [LME] and constrain [ME] People first used strict to mean ‘restricted in space or extent’ The meaning ‘imposing severe discipline’ developed in the late 16th century. See also district.