astringent

[uh-strin-juhnt]

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.

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

/ əˈstrɪndʒənt /

adjective

1. severe; harsh

2. sharp or invigorating

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

noun

1. an astringent drug or lotion

astringent

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of astringent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of astringent¹

C16: from Latin astringēns drawing together; see _astrict

Synonym Study

See acid.

Example Sentences

It was musty and slightly astringent, not unlike the communal bin area in his block of flats.

From BBC

“It’s going to become bitter and astringent. You're going to extract too many tannins out of it.”

From Salon

These compounds, which look like rings at the molecular level, interact with proteins in your saliva to produce a dry, astringent sensation that makes your mouth pucker.

From Salon

The latter are bitter and astringent compounds that come from grape skins, seeds and stems.

From BBC

Frank‘s and Charley‘s very different definitions of what constitutes a friend offers an astringent alternative to our culture’s sometimes treacly, overly simplistic portrayal of the bond.

From Los Angeles Times