astringent

American  

[uh-strin-juhnt] / əˈstrɪn dʒənt /

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.

2. harshly biting; caustic.

   his astringent criticism.

   Synonyms:

   rigorous, harsh, sharp

3. stern or severe; austere.

   Synonyms:

   rigorous, harsh, sharp

4. sharply incisive; pungent.

   astringent wit.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a substance that contracts the tissues or canals of the body, thereby diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood.

2. a cosmetic that cleans the skin and constricts the pores.

astringent British  

/ əˈstrɪndʒənt /

adjective

1. severe; harsh

2. sharp or invigorating

3. causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic

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noun

1. an astringent drug or lotion

astringent Scientific  

/ ə-strĭn′jənt /

1. A substance or preparation, such as alum, that draws together or constricts body tissues, resulting in decreased flow of blood or other secretions.

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Related Words

See acid.

Other Word Forms

• astringency
  noun
• astringently
  adverb
• nonastringency
  noun
• nonastringent
  adjective
• nonastringently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of astringent

1535–45; < Latin astringent- (stem of astringēns ) present participle of astringere to astringe; see -ent

Explanation

You know that vinegar-like liquid teens put on their faces in order to tighten their pores and dry up their pimples? That's astringent. An astringent personality, on the other hand, is perceived as bitter and perhaps even a bit toxic. Astringent may be a lifesaver for an acne-prone teen, but when the term is used as an adjective and applied to you personally, it's less positive. Since astringents are acid-based, an astringent personality can also be corrosive. If someone is prone to biting sarcasm and cynicism, he probably has an astringent view of the world.

Example Sentences

Astringent, ironic, mockingly antiheroic, the play is a black comedy with the purgative power of tragedy, but Anne Bancroft lacks the granitic authority that the central role demands.

From Time Magazine Archive

Astringent, ironic, mockingly antiheroic, the play is a black comedy with the purgative power of tragedy, although Anne Bancroft lacks something of the granitic authority that the central role demands.

From Time Magazine Archive

Astringent leadership is Churchill calling on Britons to "brace ourselves to our duties."

From Time Magazine Archive

Astringent washes may be applied to the mouth as a gargle or by means of a sponge.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

Astringent wine of some sort, unless my nose fails me.

From People of the Whirlpool by Wright, Mabel Osgood