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View synonyms for astringent

astringent

[ uh-strin-juhnt ]

adjective

  1. Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.
  2. harshly biting; caustic:

    his astringent criticism.

    Synonyms: rigorous, harsh, sharp

  3. stern or severe; austere.

    Synonyms: rigorous, harsh, sharp

  4. sharply incisive; pungent:

    astringent wit.



noun

  1. Medicine/Medical. a substance that contracts the tissues or canals of the body, thereby diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood.
  2. a cosmetic that cleans the skin and constricts the pores.

astringent

/ əˈstrɪndʒənt /

adjective

  1. severe; harsh
  2. sharp or invigorating
  3. causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic


noun

  1. an astringent drug or lotion

astringent

/ ə-strĭnjənt /

  1. 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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Derived Forms

  • asˈtringently, adverb
  • asˈtringency, noun

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Other Words From

  • 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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of astringent1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of astringent1

C16: from Latin astringēns drawing together; see astrict

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Synonym Study

See acid.

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Example Sentences

You can taste it when you add it to dishes because it’s so astringent.

From Eater

It’s not bitter like lemon zest or astringent like vinegar, but somewhat fruity and floral without being noticeably sweet.

From Eater

While fuyus can be eaten raw and crunchy, hachiyas are mouth-puckeringly astringent until they’re very ripe.

From Eater

If you taste one before it is ripe, the fruit’s sour and astringent qualities will flood your taste buds with a horrible cottony sensation.

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.

The extreme sharpness of the air acted on his nerves like an astringent, and braced them swiftly.

I was unable to locate any of the ordinary astringent drugs, such as kino, krameria, or nutgall.

This fruit is very astringent and bitter, and on being cut, a juice flows from it which is at first yellow, but soon turns black.

It is powerfully styptic and astringent; and is used chiefly as an external application in cancer.

Its roots, of a deep red hue, are distinguished by a bitter taste and astringent properties.

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