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.