astringent
Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.
harshly biting; caustic: his astringent criticism.
stern or severe; austere.
sharply incisive; pungent: astringent wit.
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
1synonym study For astringent
Other words for astringent
Other words from astringent
- as·trin·gen·cy, noun
- as·trin·gent·ly, adverb
- non·as·trin·gen·cy, noun
- non·as·trin·gent, adjective
- non·as·trin·gent·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for astringent
/ (əˈstrɪndʒənt) /
severe; harsh
sharp or invigorating
causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic
an astringent drug or lotion
Origin of astringent
1Derived forms of astringent
- astringency or astringence, noun
- astringently, adverb
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
Scientific definitions for 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.
Browse