Definition of astringent

acrimonious Definition: (adjective) biting, harsh, caustic. Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< astride

astrionics >

as·trin·gent    (-strnjnt) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:

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

NOUN:

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.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Latin astringns , astringent- present participle of astringere, to bind fast : ad-, ad- + stringere, to bind; see streig- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
as·tringen·cy (Noun), as·tringent·ly (Adverb)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search