Coarctation

2 definitions found

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

  Coarctation \Co`arc*ta"tion\, n. [L. coarctatio.]
     1. Confinement to a narrow space. [Obs.] --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Pressure; that which presses. [Obs.] --Ray.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     3. (Med.) A stricture or narrowing, as of a canal, cavity, or
        orifice.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  coarctation
       n 1: tight or narrow compression [syn: {constriction}]
       2: (biology) a narrowing or constriction of a vessel or canal;
          especially a congenital narrowing of the aorta