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astringent

[ uh-strin-juhnt ]
/ əˈstrɪn dʒənt /
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See synonyms for: astringent / astringency on Thesaurus.com
adjective
Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.
harshly biting; caustic: his astringent criticism.
stern or severe; austere.
sharply incisive; pungent: astringent wit.
noun
Medicine/Medical. a substance that contracts the tissues or canals of the body, thereby diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood.
a cosmetic that cleans the skin and constricts the pores.
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Origin of astringent

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

synonym study for astringent

2, 4. See acid.

OTHER WORDS FROM astringent

Words nearby astringent

astrict, astriction, Astrid, astride, astringe, astringent, astringer, astrionics, astro-, astroarchaeology, astrobiology
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to astringent

bitter, cutting, sharp, tonic, acetic, acrid, biting

How to use astringent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for astringent

astringent
/ (əˈstrɪndʒənt) /
adjective
severe; harsh
sharp or invigorating
causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic
noun
an astringent drug or lotion

Derived forms of astringent

astringency or astringence, nounastringently, adverb

Word Origin for astringent

C16: from Latin astringēns drawing together; see astrict
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for astringent

astringent
[ ə-strĭn′jənt ]
adj.
Causing contraction of tissues, arrest of secretion, or control of bleeding.
n.
A substance or preparation, such as alum, that draws together or constricts body tissues and is effective in stopping the flow of blood or other secretions.

Other words from astringent

as•trin′gen•cy n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for astringent

astringent
[ ə-strĭn′jənt ]
A substance or preparation, such as alum, that draws together or constricts body tissues, resulting in decreased flow of blood or other secretions.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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