Category:Astringent

As*trin"gent, a. Etym: [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.

As*trin"gent, n.

Defn: 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.