Also 6 constup-. [f. L. constīpāt- ppl. stem of constīpāre: see prec. Cf. F. constiper (14th c.), and COSTIVE.]
† 1. trans. To crowd, pack, or press closely together; to condense, thicken (liquids); to make firm and compact by pressing together. Obs.
1546. Langley, Pol. Verg. De Invent., II. xiv. 59 b. Mirrhe which is an humoure congeled and constipated together with heate.
1657. Austen, Fruit Trees, I. 102. Cold … does constipate and fix rare and fluid bodies.
1709. Phil. Trans., XXVI. 342. Vapours … constipated and condensed into Clouds.
2. Med. † a. To contract, bind together, constrict (the tissues); to close (the pores or vessels).
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXVIII. iv. (R.). Hard and vehement friction doth constipat the body. [Gloss., Constipate, to harden and make more fast and compact.]
1731. Arbuthnot, Aliments, iv. 119. It is not probable that any thing which Human Creatures take as Aliment, should have the Quality of entirely constipating or shutting up the capillary Vessels.
1763. Watson, in Phil. Trans., LIII. 20. Warmth relaxes the animal fibres, and … cold constipates and braces them.
b. spec. To confine the bowels, so that the fæces are passed with difficulty; to render costive.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe (1541), 18 a. Meates harryshe, lyke the taste of wylde fruites, do constipate and restrayne.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iii. 73. Omitting … honey, which is of a laxative power it selfe, the powder of some Loadstones in this dose doth rather constipate and binde, then purge and loosen the belly.
1877. Roberts, Handbk. Med. (ed. 3), I. 77. The bowels are constipated.
fig. 1669. Woodhead, St. Teresa, I. Pref. 24. Visions … suspending the senses, constipating the spirits.
