astringent

[ uh-strin-juhnt ]
See synonyms for astringent on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.

  2. harshly biting; caustic: his astringent criticism.

  1. stern or severe; austere.

  2. 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.

Origin of astringent

1
1535–45; <Latin astringent- (stem of astringēns) present participle of astringere to astringe; see -ent

synonym study For astringent

2, 4. See acid.

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

How to use astringent in a sentence

  • His songs are sweet, yet never so spontaneous as Schubert's, so astringently intellectual as Robert Franz's.

    Old Fogy | James Huneker
  • He had always been astringently reserved, even in childhood.

    Shadows of Flames | Amelie Rives

British Dictionary definitions for astringent

astringent

/ (əˈstrɪndʒənt) /


adjective
  1. severe; harsh

  2. sharp or invigorating

  1. causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic

noun
  1. an astringent drug or lotion

Origin of astringent

1
C16: from Latin astringēns drawing together; see astrict

Derived 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

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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.