costive

[ kos-tiv, kaw-stiv ]

adjective

1. suffering from constipation; constipated.
2. slow in action or in expressing ideas, opinions, etc.
3. Obsolete. stingy; tight-fisted.

costive

/ ˈkɒstɪv /

adjective

1. having constipation; constipated
2. sluggish
3. niggardly

Derived Forms

• ˈcostiveness, noun
• ˈcostively, adverb

Other Words From

• costive·ly adverb
• costive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of costive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from unrecorded Anglo-French costif, for Middle French costivé, past participle of costiver “to constipate,” from Latin constīpāre ( constipate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of costive¹

C14: from Old French costivé, from Latin constipātus; see constipate

Example Sentences

I finds un fine to hunt with, and 'tis not so costive as the others.

From Project Gutenberg

The pulse is small, feeble and frequent, and the bowels costive.

From Project Gutenberg

I was of a costive, dyspeptic habit, which has been entirely removed.

From Project Gutenberg

All these facts have been proved before your Lordships by costive and unwilling witnesses.

From Project Gutenberg

As he was costive, pills of aloes and steel were ordered to be taken occasionally.

From Project Gutenberg