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Webster 1913 Edition


Astringent

As-trin′gent

(-jent)
,
Adj.
[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

,
Noun.
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 1828 Edition


Astringent

ASTRING'ENT

,
Adj.
Binding; contracting; strengthening; opposed to laxative.

ASTRING'ENT

,
Noun.
a medicine which binds or contracts the parts of the body to which it is applied, restrains profuse discharges, coagulates animal fluids, condenses and strengthens the solids.
Modern practice inclines to the use of astringent, for internal applications, and styptic, for external.