x8o • dictionary. -^vg. 8. 



This term 5s confined entirely to denote the smallnefs of tlie 

 internal dimensions of such objects as are formed to cover, or 

 to receive, or contain other solid bodies, and can be employed 

 in no other case. And although it agrees with strait, in 

 always denoting confinement, and by being applicable to 

 the same species of objects, yet it differs in the following 

 respects: i. If there be any difference of the diameter of 

 the objects to, which the term strait can be applied, it al- 

 ways has reference to the smaller ; yet tight may be ap- 

 plied to any sort of confinement, whether it regards the 

 length or the breadth. 2. Strait can be applied to all bo- 

 dies of capacity when of small diameter, without any sort 

 of reference to the nature of the substance which it may 

 be capable of containing. For we can say a strait bag, a 

 strait sleeve, a strait mortoise, a strait gate, &c. whereas 

 tight caji only be applied to any body, when it is conside- 

 red as having a reference to another body which is in- 

 tended to be contained in it, and is pinched for want of 

 room. Thus we say the sleeve of a coat is too tight for the 

 arm, the mortoise is too tight for the tenOn, &c y but we can- 

 not say the bog or the gate is too tight, because these are 

 fitted to receive any sort of objects. And hence it hap- 

 pens that, in many cases, thje dimensions of the same bo- 

 dy may be exprefsed by tight or strait when considered in 

 different- circumstances. Thus we may say this sleeve is 

 too strait, when we look at a coat when lying on the table,, 

 and consider its proportions •, but it is not till we hav.e 

 tried it upon the arm that it is intended to cover," that 

 we call it tight. And we may say agate is too strait, or too 

 ' tight : but in the first case we consider it as being too con- 

 fined for admitting objects to pafs through it ; and, in- the- 

 last, as being too confined with respect to the leaves that 

 are to (hut the aperture, not allowing them space to moyc 

 witii freedom* 



