ASTRING'ENT, adjective Binding; contracting; strengthening; opposed to laxative.

ASTRING'ENT, noun a medicine which binds or contracts the parts of the body to which it is applied, restrains profuse discharges, coagulates animal fluids, condenses and strengthens the solids.

Modern practice inclines to the use of astringent for internal applications, and styptic, for external.