[a. L. constrictor, agent-n. from constringĕre, constrict-: see CONSTRINGE.] One who or that which constricts.
1. Anat. A muscle that draws together or narrows a part. (Frequent in the L. names of individual muscles.)
[1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Constrictor Labiorum, a Muscle that encompasses the lips with orbicular or round Fibres].
a. 1735. Arbuthnot, etc., Mart. Scrib. (J.). He supposed the constrictors of the eye-lids must be strengthened in the supercilious.
1839. Todd, Cycl. Anat., II. 220 b.
1872. Mivart, Elem. Anat., 283. The constrictors of the pharynx.
attrib. 1836. Todd, Cycl. Anat., I. 16 a. A great constrictor muscle.
1878. Foster, Phys., II. i. § 2. 212. The sympathetic therefore acts as a constrictor nerve.
2. Surg. An instrument for producing constriction; a compressor.
1882. Syd. Soc. Lex., Constrictor of Herbiniaux … to tighten the ligature placed around the neck of a tumour.
3. A large snake which crushes its prey; a BOA-CONSTRICTOR.
a. 1845. Hood, Knt. & Dragon, xxxvii. That gorged serpent they call the constrictor.
