styptic

American  

[stip-tik] / ˈstɪp tɪk /

adjective

1. serving to contract organic tissue; astringent; binding.

2. serving to check hemorrhage or bleeding, as a drug; hemostatic.

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noun

1. a styptic agent or substance.

styptic British  

/ stɪpˈtɪsɪtɪ, ˈstɪptɪk /

adjective

1. contracting the blood vessels or tissues

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noun

1. a styptic drug

Other Word Forms

• nonstyptic adjective
• nonstyptical adjective
• stypticalness noun
• stypticity noun

Etymology

Origin of styptic

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin stȳpticus < Greek stȳpikós contractile, equivalent to stȳp- ( stypsis ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

He and others also recommended I keep compression bandages and styptic powder—which can be applied to small wounds to help stop bleeding—in stock.

From The Wall Street Journal

The pilots transport medical supplies for cancer patients, first-aid kits for bone fractures, styptic drugs and medicines that need to be refrigerated, such as insulin.

From Reuters

Herb robert smells musky when crushed, but the juice is a powerful styptic, stopping a cut or a thorn wound in seconds.

From The Guardian

Police say they found medical tape, nail files and styptic powder, used to stop bleeding.

From Washington Times

Also, styptic pencils to stanch cuts, and tampons, for nosebleeds, ominous inclusions in an environment where bodily fluids may be deadly.

From New York Times