straiten Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship
distress.
verb squeeze together

imperfect & past participle Straitened ; present participle & verbal noun Straitening

To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine.
Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise. Bacon.

In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe. Milton.
To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
They straiten at each end the cord. Pope.
To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means or conditions of life; -- used chiefly in the past participle; -- as, a man straitened in his circumstances.