Strait-handed
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 parsimonious; sparing; niggardly archaic
"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."
Example
More examples"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."
Etymology
From strait + handed.
Related phrases
More for "strait-handed"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.