astringent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals
    astringent drug; styptic.
  2. adjective satellite sour or bitter in taste
    acerb; acerbic.
  3. adjective tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
    • astringent cosmetic lotions

WordNet

As*trin"gent adjective
Etymology
L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.
Definitions
  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.
As*trin"gent noun
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913