Webster's English Dictionary

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astringent

1. as.trin.gent \*-'strin-j*nt\ aj [prob. fr. MF, fr. L astringent-, 
   astringens, prp. of astringere] to bind fast, fr. ad- + stringere to bind 
   tight - more at STRAIN 1: able to draw together the soft organic tissues : 
   STYPTIC, PU CKERY {~ lotions an ~ fruit} 2: suggestive of an astringent 
   effect upon tissue : AUSTERE; al so : TONIC - as.trin.gent.ly av
2. astringent n : an astringent agent or substance