*rictu*

‖n. [ L., the aperture of the mouth. ] The gape of the mouth, as of birds; -- often resricted to the corners of the mouth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. strictura a contraction, from stringere, strictum, to draw tight: cf. F. stricture. See Strict. ] 1. Strictness. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A man of stricture and firm abstinence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A stroke; a glance; a touch. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A touch of adverse criticism; censure. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ I have ] given myself the liberty of these strictures by way of reflection on all and every passage. Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Med.) A localized morbid contraction of any passage of the body. Cf. Organic stricture, and Spasmodic stricture, under Organic, and Spasmodic. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]