strait
n
1 [C often pl with sing meaning, esp in proper names 常以复数表示单数意义, 尤用於专有名称]
narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water 海峡; (联接两大水域之间的)狭窄水道
the Straits of Gibraltar 直布罗陀海峡
the Magellan Straits 麦哲伦海峡.
2 straits [pl]
trouble; difficulty 困难
be in (dire/desperate/serious) financial straits 陷於(恶劣的[极度的/严重的])财务困境中.
On the subject of reading, Francis Bacon, who lived at about the same time as shakespeare, wrote these words, Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. This good advice shows how it is possible to read