Definition of the word strait

The word "strait" has a fascinating history. It originated from the Old English word "strēat", which means "narrow channel" or "channel between two larger bodies of water". This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic "*strātiz", which is also the source of the Modern English word "street". During the 14th century, the spelling of the word evolved to "strait", and its meaning expanded to include narrow passages of water, like straits, which are often constricted by land. The word is often used to describe channels of water that separate landmasses, such as the Strait of Gibraltar or the Bering Strait. Today, the word "strait" is commonly used in nautical contexts and can also refer to a state of tension or distress.