astringent
[ uh-strin-juhnt ]
/ əˈstrɪn dʒənt /
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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
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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for astringent
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, adverbWord 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.