Costive

2 definitions found

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

  Costive \Cos"tive\ (k?s"t?v), a. [OF. costev['e], p. p. of
     costever, F. constiper, L. constipare to press closely
     together, to cram; con- + stipare to press together, cram.
     See {Stipulate}, {Stiff}, and cf. {Constipate}.]
     1. Retaining fecal matter in the bowels; having too slow a
        motion of the bowels; constipated.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Reserved; formal; close; cold. [Obs.] "A costive brain."
        --Prior. "Costive of laughter." --B. Jonson.
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              You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and
              close, but without being costive.     --Lord
                                                    Chesterfield.
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     3. Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the
              sun and wind.                         --Mortimer.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  costive
       adj : retarding evacuation of feces [ant: {laxative}]