adjective
- Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.
- harshly biting; caustic: his astringent criticism.
- stern or severe; austere.
- sharply incisive; pungent: astringent wit.
noun
- 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.
adjective
- severe; harsh
- sharp or invigorating
- causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic
noun
- an astringent drug or lotion
adj.1540s, from Latin astringentum (nominative astringens), present participle of astringere “to bind fast, tighten, contract,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + stringere “draw tight” (see strain (v.)). As a noun from 1620s. adj.
- Causing contraction of tissues, arrest of secretion, or control of bleeding.
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.
- A substance or preparation, such as alum, that draws together or constricts body tissues, resulting in decreased flow of blood or other secretions.