astringent

[ uh-strin-juhnt ]
/ əˈstrɪn dʒənt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR astringent 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.

QUIZZES

HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!
Question 1 of 7
anchorite
a granular metamorphic rock.
a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.
a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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-, astro-inertial guidance, astroarchaeology
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to astringent

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

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, 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.