astringent

[ uh-strin-juhnt ]

/ əˈstrɪn dʒənt /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of astringent

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

SYNONYMS FOR astringent

2, 3. sharp, harsh, rigorous.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR astringent ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

as·trin·gen·cy, nounas·trin·gent·ly, adverbnon·as·trin·gen·cy, nounnon·as·trin·gent, adjective

non·as·trin·gent·ly, adverb

Synonym study

2, 4. See acid.

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
As an astringent, all the parts described are commonly given under the form of decoction.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
Chemists have extracted from it an astringent liquor containing tannin and gallic acid.
Curiosities of Medical Experience|J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen

Mild antiseptic and astringent lotions or dusting powders should also be advised.
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon
Astringent, tonic, anthelmintic, antiperiodic—Therapeutic uses.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
The rough, astringent, thirst-creating smack is the produce of the brown malt, and a well conducted fermentation.
The American Practical Brewer and Tanner|Joseph Coppinger

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 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

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.

Medicine 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.

Related formsas•trin′gen•cy n.

Science definitions for astringent