astringing
|a-strin-ging|
/əˈstrɪndʒ/
(astringe)
to bind/tighten; to cause contraction
Etymology
'astringe' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'astringere', where 'ad-' (often assimilated to 'a-') meant 'to/toward' and 'stringere' meant 'to bind or tighten'.
'astringere' passed into Medieval Latin and influenced Old French forms (e.g. 'astringer'), and was adopted into English in forms such as Middle English 'astringen' or 'astringe', eventually stabilizing as 'astringe' with related adjectives like 'astringent'.
Initially it meant 'to bind or draw tight' in Latin; over time English usage broadened to include the sense 'to contract tissues' or 'to produce a drying/puckering effect', while related forms (e.g. 'astringent') came to be used for substances with that effect.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle of 'astringe': causing contraction or tightening (especially of body tissues); binding or compressing; producing a puckering or drying effect.
The astringing effect of the tonic relieved the minor bleeding and tightened the skin.
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Adjective 1
having the quality of an astringent; producing a drying, puckering, or constricting sensation.
She applied an astringing lotion to the cut to reduce bleeding.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/07 16:44