strait

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strait /str'eɪt/ (straits)
1 [N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES]
You can refer to a narrow strip of sea which joins two large areas of sea as a strait or the straits.
An estimated 1600 vessels pass through the strait annually.
...the Straits of Gibraltar.
2 [N-PLURAL] adj N
If someone is in dire or desperate straits, they are in a very difficult situation, usually because they do not have much money.
The company's closure has left many small businessmen in desperate financial straits.

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allowance

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