astringent
[uh-strin-juh nt]
- Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.
- harshly biting; caustic: his astringent criticism.
- stern or severe; austere.
- sharply incisive; pungent: astringent wit.
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- 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
Synonyms
See more synonyms for astringent on Thesaurus.com2, 3. sharp, harsh, rigorous.
Synonym study
2, 4. See acid.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for astringent
Contemporary Examples
These protagonists want something just out of reach, and end up being the unintentional authors of their own astringent tragedies.
And yet, there was always an astringent, bleakly humorous honesty to the man.
Historical Examples
The wood is of an astringent nature, and if put into vinegar makes it stronger.
The History of LouisianaLe Page Du Pratz
As this is an astringent, the doses must be proportioned accordingly, and the mixture is wholesome only while it remains sweet.
Hard water possesses an astringent quality, which prevents the goodness of the malt from being freely communicated to the liquor.
After the harsh, astringent drug, the flavour was soothing and gratifying.
The Slave of SilenceFred M. White
Both root and flower are astringent and are given for dysentery.
The Medicinal Plants of the PhilippinesT. H. Pardo de Tavera
astringent
- severe; harsh
- sharp or invigorating
- causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic
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- an astringent drug or lotion
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Word Origin
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
astringent
(ə-strĭn′jənt)- Causing contraction of tissues, arrest of secretion, or control of bleeding.
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- 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.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.