straight

straight
{{11}}straight (adj.1) mid-14c., "direct, undeviating, not crooked," properly "that which is stretched," adj. use of O.E. streht (altered, by analogy with streccan, from earlier streaht), pp. of streccan "to stretch" (see STRETCH (Cf. stretch) (v.)). Meaning "true, direct, honest" is from 1520s. Of communication, "clear, unambiguous," from 1862. Sense of "undiluted, uncompromising" (e.g. straight whiskey, 1874) is American English, first recorded 1856.
Theatrical sense of "serious" (as opposed to popular or comic) is attested from 1895; vaudeville slang straight man first attested 1923. Go straight in the underworld slang sense is from 1919; straighten up "become respectable" is from 1907. Straight arrow "decent, conventional person" is 1969, from archetypal Native American brave name. To keep a straight face first recorded 1897; straight shooter is from 1928; straight-edge as a punk subculture is attested by 1987.
{{12}}straight (adj.2) "conventional," especially "heterosexual," 1941, probably in part from straight and narrow path "course of conventional morality and law-abiding behavior," which is based on a misreading of Matt. vii:14 (where the gate is actually STRAIT (Cf. strait)), and the other influence seems to be from strait-laced.
{{12}}straight (n.) 1864, "straight part of a race track," from STRAIGHT (Cf. straight) (adj.1). Poker sense attested from 1841. Meaning "conventional person" is first recorded 1967 (see STRAIGHT (Cf. straight) (adj.2)).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • straight — [strāt] adj. [ME streght, pp. of strecchen, to STRETCH] 1. having the same direction throughout its length; having no curvature or angularity [a straight line] 2. not crooked, bent, bowed, wavy, curly, etc. [straight hair] 3. upright; erect… …   English World dictionary

  • Straight — Straight, a. [Compar. {Straighter}; superl. {Straightest}.] [OE. strei?t, properly p. p. of strecchen to stretch, AS. streht, p. p. of streccan to stretch, to extend. See {Stretch}.] 1. Right, in a mathematical sense; passing from one point to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • straight — ► ADJECTIVE 1) extending uniformly in one direction only; without a curve or bend. 2) properly positioned so as to be level, upright, or symmetrical. 3) in proper order or condition. 4) honest and direct. 5) (of thinking) clear and logical. 6) in …   English terms dictionary

  • Straight — is a term which may commonly refer to:* The quality or state of extending in one direction without turns, bends or curves; or being without influence or interruption * The personal character of displaying honesty or fairness * A poker hand… …   Wikipedia

  • Straight 8 — is an independent filmmaking event founded in 1999 and based in the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the medium and editing style used to create the short films. Participants use Super 8 mm film (commonly referred to as Super 8), shooting …   Wikipedia

  • Straight Up — ist ein Pop/R B Lied und ein Nummer eins Hit aus dem Jahre 1989 von der US amerikanischen Pop und R B Sängerin und Tänzerin Paula Abdul. Die Single erreichte 1989 Platz 1 der Billboard Hot 100 und brachte Abdul damit den kommerziellen Durchbruch …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Straight — (engl. ‚gerade‘, ‚geradeaus‘, ‚direkt‘, ‚geradlinig‘) bezeichnet: Straight (Album), Musikalbum von Tobias Regner Straight (Film), deutscher Spielfilm von Nicolas Flessa aus dem Jahr 2007 Straight acting, englischer Ausdruck für heterosexuell… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • straight — straight; straight·en; straight·en·er; straight·ish; straight·ly; straight·ness; straight·for·ward·ly; straight·for·ward·ness; …   English syllables

  • Straight — Straight, adv. In a straight manner; directly; rightly; forthwith; immediately; as, the arrow went straight to the mark. Floating straight. Shak. [1913 Webster] I know thy generous temper well; Fling but the appearance of dishonor on it, It… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • straight — 〈[strɛıt] Adj.; undekl.; umg.〉 1. konsequent 2. 〈abwertend〉 lässig 3. 〈Sexualität〉 heterosexuell; Ggs gay 4. 〈Drogenszene〉 in Ordnung, sauber (von Rauschgift) [engl., „gerade, aufrecht, direkt“] * * * straight [streɪt ] <Adj.> [engl., eigtl …   Universal-Lexikon

  • straight — [adj1] aligned; not curved beeline*, collinear, consecutive, continuous, direct, erect, even, horizontal, in a line, in a row, inflexible, in line, invariable, level, like an arrow*, lineal, linear, near, nonstop, perpendicular, plumb,… …   New thesaurus

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