astringent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue

   astringent cosmetic lotions

2. 2
   adj

   Sharp, caustic, severe.

   Philip, who was made Duke of Edinburgh on the couple’s wedding, introduced a new, less stuffy, though as the years went on occasionally astringent, tone to the royal family.

3. 3
   adj

   sour or bitter in taste

4. 4
   noun

   a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals

5. 5
   noun

   A substance which draws tissue together, thus restricting the flow of blood.

6. 6
   adj

   Extremely sour, bitter.

7. 7
   adj

   Causing a dry or puckering mouthfeel; characteristic of foods with high tannin content, such as certain kinds of berries and citrus fruits.

8. 8
   adj

   Having the effect of drawing tissue together; styptic.

Etymology

From Latin adstringere (“to bind fast”), from ad (“toward”) + stringere (“bind, pull tight”). Compare stringent.