costive

American  

[kos-tiv, kaw-stiv] / ˈkɒs tɪv, ˈkɔ stɪv /

adjective

1. suffering from constipation; constipated.

2. slow in action or in expressing ideas, opinions, etc.

3. Obsolete. stingy; tight-fisted.

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costive British  

/ ˈkɒstɪv /

adjective

1. having constipation; constipated

2. sluggish

3. niggardly

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Other Word Forms

• costively adverb
• costiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of costive

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from unrecorded Anglo-French costif, for Middle French costivé, past participle of costiver “to constipate,” from Latin constīpāre ( constipate )

Example Sentences

The second fragment or thesis treats of “disorders of the bowels,” which suggests already that the aphorist is a costive sort, disgorging small verities with considerable effort.

From The New Yorker

Movies coiled up in other movies have a habit of becoming either costive or cute, but somehow Falardeau avoids the traps.

From The New Yorker

His stories are carried along, too, by an exceptionally easygoing and seductive narrative voice, what the costive Henry James described as his acolyte’s enviable “flow.”

From Washington Post

When the clipped and costive British voiceover finally delivers the GPO's message, it seems like the final surreal touch.

From The Guardian

In some cases a very furred tongue, sallow skin, and costive bowels indicate more active purgatives, which may be exhibited during the febrile stage.

From Project Gutenberg