Hypertext Webster Gateway: "astringent"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Astringent \As*trin"gent\, n.
A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in
the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood,
mucus, etc.
External astringents are called styptics. --Dunglison.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
astringent
adj 1: sour or bitter in taste [syn: {acerb}, {acerbic}, {sharp}]
2: tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue;
"astringent cosmetic lotions" [ant: {nonastringent}]
n : a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals
[syn: {astringent drug}, {styptic}]
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