astringent

[uh-strin-juhnt]

SEE MORE 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.

Origin of astringent

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

Related formsas·trin·gen·cy, nounas·trin·gent·ly, adverbnon·as·trin·gen·cy, nounnon·as·trin·gent, adjectivenon·as·trin·gent·ly, adverb

Synonyms for astringent

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR astringent ON THESAURUS.COM

2, 3. sharp, harsh, rigorous.

Synonym study

2, 4. See acid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for astringent

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

Examples from the Web for astringent

Contemporary Examples of astringent

These protagonists want something just out of reach, and end up being the unintentional authors of their own astringent tragedies.
Chinelo Okparanta: Champion of the Stifled
Mythili Rao
August 19, 2013
And yet, there was always an astringent, bleakly humorous honesty to the man.
The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Henry Ford
Richard Snow
May 14, 2013

Historical Examples of astringent

The wood is of an astringent nature, and if put into vinegar makes it stronger.
The History of Louisiana
Le Page Du Pratz
As this is an astringent, the doses must be proportioned accordingly, and the mixture is wholesome only while it remains sweet.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
Hard water possesses an astringent quality, which prevents the goodness of the malt from being freely communicated to the liquor.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
After the harsh, astringent drug, the flavour was soothing and gratifying.
The Slave of Silence
Fred M. White
Both root and flower are astringent and are given for dysentery.
The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines
T. H. Pardo de Tavera

British Dictionary definitions for astringent

astringent

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 Formsastringency 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

Word Origin and History for astringent

adj.

1540s, from Latin astringentum (nominative astringens), present participle of astringere "to bind fast, tighten, contract," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + stringere "draw tight" (see strain (v.)). As a noun from 1620s.

astringent in Medicine

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.

Related formsas•trin′gen•cy n.

astringent in Science

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.