strait-handed
See also: straithanded
English
Alternative forms
- straithanded
Etymology
strait + handed
Adjective
strait-handed (comparative more strait-handed, superlative most strait-handed)
- (archaic) parsimonious; sparing; niggardly
- 1643, Daniel Cawdrey, The good man a publick good:
- It is observable that is noted of those first converts, who were before strait-hearted and strait-handed, but when once made partakers of the Grace of God, how much they were enlarged, Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessours of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of things that were sold: And laid them downe at the Apostles feet, and distribution was made to every man, according as he had need.
- 1743, Joseph Davidson (translator), The Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry of Horace, page 28:
- The Fear of passing for a Prodigal makes this Man so wretchedly covetous and strait-handed, that he will not assist the sincerest Friend on the most pressing Occasion.
- 2006, Firdausi, Epic of Kings, →ISBN, page 76:
- For she said- “This is not the hour to be strait-handed; suffer that I take what seemeth good unto me and go before Saum, it may be that I move him to spare the land.”
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