Stricture

Pronunciation

• enPR: strÄ­k'chÉ™r
• Rhymes: -ɪktʃə(r)

Origin

From Late Latin strictūra, from Latin strictus.

Full definition of stricture

Noun

1. (usually in plural) a rule restricting behaviour or actionFor them, parity is less an ultimate goal than a transitory and permissive springboard for testing Western resolve and pursuing whatever additional accretions of strategic power the strictures of SALT and American tolerance will allow.
2. a sternly critical remark or review
3. (medicine) abnormal narrowing of a canal or duct in the body
4. (obsolete) strictnessA man of stricture and firm abstinence. — Shakespeare.
5. (obsolete) a stroke; a glance; a touch
6. (linguistics) the degree of contact, in consonants

Related terms

• constriction
• strict
• stringent