astringent - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

as·trin·gent

Audio Help [uh-strin-juh

nt] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.

2.	harshly biting; caustic: his astringent criticism.

3.	stern or severe; austere.

4.	sharply incisive; pungent: astringent wit.

–noun

5.	Medicine/Medical. a substance that contracts the tissues or canals of the body, thereby diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood.

6.	a cosmetic that cleans the skin and constricts the pores.

[Origin: 1535–45; < L astringent- (s. of astringéns) prp. of astringere to astringe; see -ent

]

—Related forms

as·trin·gen·cy, noun

as·trin·gent·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 2, 3. sharp, harsh, rigorous. See acid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
astringent

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

as·trin·gent Audio Help (ə-strĭn'jənt) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Medicine Tending to draw together or constrict tissues; styptic.
Sharp and penetrating; pungent or severe: astringent remarks.

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.

[Latin astringēns, astringent-, present participle of astringere, to bind fast : ad-, ad- + stringere, to bind; see streig- in Indo-European roots.]

as·trin'gen·cy n., as·trin'gent·ly adv.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
astringent (adj.)

1541, from L. astringentum (nom. astringens), prp. of astringere "to bind fast," from ad- "to" + stringere "draw tight" (see strain (v.)).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

astringent
adjective
1.	sour or bitter in taste [syn: acerb]
2.	tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue; "astringent cosmetic lotions" [ant: mark]
noun
1.	a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

astringent Audio Help (ə-strĭn'jənt) Pronunciation Key
A substance or preparation, such as alum, that draws together or constricts body tissues, resulting in decreased flow of blood or other secretions.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Astringent

Ad*strin"gent\, a. See Astringent.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Astringent

As*trin"gent\ (-jent), a. [L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.]

1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; -- opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.

2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.

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