Astringe

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Astringe \As*tringe"\ ([a^]s*tr[i^]nj"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Astringed} (-tr[i^]njd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Astringing}
     (-j[i^]ng).] [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight.
     Cf. {Astrict}, and see {Strain}, v. t.]
     1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to
        draw together; to compress.


        [1913 Webster]
  
              Which contraction . . . astringeth the moisture of
              the brain and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes.
                                                    --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To bind by moral or legal obligation. --Wolsey.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  astringe
       v 1: constrict or bind or draw together; "Lemon juice astringes
            the tissue in the mouth"
       2: become constricted or compressed; "The cold substance
          astringes"