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straight and narrow

The way of proper conduct and moral integrity. Used with the: kept strictly to the straight and narrow.

[Alteration (by misunderstanding) of strait and narrow, from "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life" (Matthew 7:14) from STRAIT.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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