As*trin"gent (#), a. [L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.] 1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; -- opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.
2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.
© Webster 1913.
As*trin"gent, n. A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood, mucus, etc.
External astringents are called styptics.
Dunglison.
© Webster 1913. | 
