straiten

No one can wish to straiten his chance of acquittal, or to inquire too curiously whether there be not a pretext for closing the door that now stands ajar.

From William Blake A Critical Essay by Algernon Charles Swinburne

Does he not, at this instant, straiten and invade your confederates, whom you have solemnly sworn to protect?

From The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant by John Hamilton Moore

Pray don't straiten your lips in that grievously defiant fashion, as Perpetua doubtless did when she heard the bellowing of beasts or the clash of steel in the amphitheatre.

From Infelice by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans

What shall we do to spread the wing and soar, Nor straiten thy deliverance any more?

From A Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald

Cæsar's men daily carried on their works to straiten the enemy; those of Pompey, having the advantage of numbers, did the same to enlarge themselves, and severely galled the enemy by their slingers and archers.

From Pinnock's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History of Rome to which is prefixed an introduction to the study of Roman history, and a great variety of valuable information added throughout the work, on the manners, institutions, and antiquities of the Romans; with numerous biographical and historical notes; and questions for examination at the end of each section. By Wm. C. Taylor. by William Pinnock