ˈtight-ˌlaced, a.
(-leɪst)
That is laced tightly; having the laces drawn tight; wearing stays tightly laced; constricted or compressed by tight-lacing.
| 1741 [see b]. 1828 Lights & Shades II. 132 The tight-laced spark of fashion, with his hat on one side. 1860 W. G. Clark in Vac. Tour. 43 We saw..the belles of the island,..with..tight-laced black bodices. 1871 Figure Training 106 May I add a little practical information..on the health of tight-laced ladies? 1905 H. D. Rolleston Dis. Liver 11 Tight-laced livers are often associated with dyspepsia. |
b. fig. Strict in the observance of rules or usages of morality or propriety. (Usually dyslogistic.)
| 1741 Richardson Pamela I. Introd. 26 He made a too tight-laced Objection, where he quarrels with the spann'd Waist of Pamela. 1831 T. L. Peacock Crotchet Castle vi, Even in these tight-laced days, the obscurity of a learned language allows a little pleasantry. 1844 Alb. Smith Adv. Mr. Ledbury liv. (1886) 164 Etiquette is not over tight-laced upon the mountains. 1881 Larwood Lond. Parks xiv. 282 This somewhat tight-laced gentleman was greatly shocked. |