the word 'straiten' originates from the adjective 'strait', which entered english via old french from the latin past participle 'strictus', meaning "drawn tight". the latin term derives from the verb 'stringere', to draw tight, a root also seen in words like 'strict' and 'constrict'. the addition of the old english verbal suffix '-en' transformed the concept of being narrow into the action of making something narrow or confined. thus, the literal sense of "to make narrow" evolved into the modern figurative meanings of causing financial hardship or imposing restrictions.

Structure: strait (narrow) + en (verb-forming suffix) - strait: from old french 'estreit' (narrow, tight), from latin 'strictus' (drawn tight, compressed). functions as the core root conveying the meaning of narrowness or tightness. - en: from old english '-nian', a verb-forming suffix meaning "to make or become". functions as a derivational suffix that converts the adjective/noun into a verb.