strait-handed

See also: straithanded

English

Alternative forms

• straithanded

Etymology

strait +‎ handed

Adjective

strait-handed (comparative more strait-handed, superlative most strait-handed)

1. (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, transl., 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.”

Derived terms

• strait-handedness