[a. F. constipation, or ad. L. constīpātiōn-em, n. of action or state f. constīpāre to CONSTIPATE.]
† 1. The action of packing or pressing closely together; the condition of being so compressed; condensation, compression. Obs.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1337. Condensation, and constipation depresseth and driveth it [matter] downeward to the middle.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., vii. 239. A pretty close Constipation and mutual Contact of its Particles.
1713. Derham, Phys. Theol., I. iii. N a (R.). In spring when the earth and waters are loosed from the brumal constipations, the vapours arise in great plenty.
2. Med. † a. Contraction or constriction of organic tissues, the veins, etc. Obs.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cyrurg., 119. Euel accidentis … as constipacioun of þe wombe, or ellis þe flix of þe wombe.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe (1541), 61 a. It dissolveth the constipations or stoppinges made of all places, if the places be scarified.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 384. Schirrous hardnesse and constipation of the Veines.
a. 1660. Hammond, Serm., Wks. 1684, IV. 577. That the laxum and strictum, the immoderate dissolution or constipation were the principles and originals of all diseases.
b. spec. Confinement of the bowels: a state of the bowels in which the evacuations are obstructed or stopped; costiveness.
1549. Compl. Scot., vi. 67. I sau betis, that is gude contrar constipatione.
1702. J. Purcell, Cholick (1714), 117. When the Pain of the Cholick … is accompany’d with a great Heat, violent Constipation, Vomiting.
1806. Weaver, in Med. Jrnl., XV. 325. Case of Constipation of the Bowels, removed by External Friction.
1866. A. Flint, Princ. Med. (1880), 532. The terms constipation and costiveness are commonly used as synonyms, denoting insufficiency of evacuations from the bowels.
