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# strait

noun (a strait, straits; often plural «the Straits of …»)

«strait» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A strait is a narrow passage of sea between two pieces of land that joins two larger seas. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#m1)
2. «In dire straits» means in a very difficult or dangerous situation, often with money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#m2)

### In the lessons

In geography lessons pupils find straits on maps: the Strait of Gibraltar between Europe and Africa, Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania, Cook Strait between New Zealand's two islands, the Bering Strait between Asia and North America. Ships use straits as shortcuts. Phrases: «the Strait of …», «in dire straits», «strait-laced».

### Examples

- The Strait of Gibraltar separates Spain and Morocco. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x1)
- The ferry crosses Cook Strait from Wellington. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x2)
- Bass Strait lies between Victoria and Tasmania. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x3)
- Long ago people walked across the Bering Strait when sea levels were low. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x4)
- Ships sail through the narrow strait. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x5)
- After the flood, the family were in dire straits. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x6)
- Find the strait on the map and colour it blue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x7)
- The black horse leaped the strait. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/#x8)

### Note

Homophone: «straight» (not bent). A strait is water; an isthmus is a narrow strip of land joining two lands — the opposite. «Straitjacket» uses this old meaning of «strait» = tight. Plural: straits.

## In Jewish tradition

"Straits" and "strait" mean narrowness, trouble and distress, or a place too small. Hebrew words for trouble share a root with "narrow."

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads the straits as the narrow place of suffering. God's answer is "enlargement," which means relief and freedom.

### Examples

- Out of my straits I called upon the LORD; He answered me with great enlargement. (Writings PSA.118.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/strait/#x1)
- The cords of death compassed me, and the straits of the nether-world got hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow. (Writings PSA.116.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/strait/#x2)
- And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha: 'Behold now, the place where we dwell before thee is too strait for us. (Prophets 2KI.6.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/strait/#x3)

### Note

Homophone: «straight» (not bent). A strait is water; an isthmus is a narrow strip of land joining two lands — the opposite. «Straitjacket» uses this old meaning of «strait» = tight. Plural: straits.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «strait» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/strait/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«strait» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/strait.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «strait» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/strait/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«strait» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/strait.html) on Mova free.