v. [ad. L. constring-ĕre to tie tightly, draw tightly together, f. L. con- together + stringĕre to draw tight. This seems to have been introduced to represent the L. verb more closely in form and sense than was done by the historical representative constrain, which came through French. In more recent times constrict has been used as an equivalent.]
1. trans. To draw or squeeze together as by an encircling force; to compress; CONSTRICT 1. ? Obs.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. ii. 173. The dreadfull spout Which Shipmen doe the Hurricano call, Constring’d in masse by the almighty sun.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. i. II. iv. 18. The neck [of the Bladder] is constringed with a muscle.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 191. Children … involved and constringed in swaithing bands.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 561. God … by His vertue and Power does constringe and contein the whole world.
1826. Southey, Vind. Eccl. Angl., 331–2. The prayer was granted, and immediately she was constringed so tightly by the unseen and spiritual cincture that, as St. Thomas had done, she cried aloud for pain.
c. 1828. Broderip, in Penny Cycl., V. 24/2. While these serpents are in the act of constringing … their prey.
2. Phys. To cause (organic tissue) to shrink or draw together. Also absol.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, I. ix. 35. Love will have heate, and sadnesse colde, feare constringeth, and pleasure dilateth.
1689. Moyle, Sea Chyrurg., II. xx. 75. These [remedies] will powerfully dry and constringe.
1743–5. R. Pococke, Observ. Pal., in Pinkerton, Coll. Trav., X. 433. On tasting it [Dead Sea Water] my mouth was constringed as if it had been a strong alum Water.
1785. Pott, Chirurg. Wks. (ed. 2), II. 46. Constringing such [parts] as are dilated.
1875. H. C. Wood, Therap. (1879), 47. It acts as an astringent, constringing the vessels and overcoming relaxation.
3. To contract (any substance) as by cold, etc.
1652. French, Yorksh. Spa, ii. 15. The earth being constringed with cold.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, I. 180. The solids will be weakened by every effort they make to contract or constringe themselves.
4. intr. To become close or dense.
1880. Browning, Dram. Idyls, Pan & Luna, 58. The plumy drifts [of cloud] contract, condense, constringe, Till she [the moon] is swallowed by the feathery springe.
Hence Constringed, Constringing ppl. adjs.
1655. H. More, Antid. Ath. (1662), 185. Their Bodies being nothing but coagulated or constringed Aire. Ibid. (1684), An Answer, 275.
1756. Watson, in Phil. Trans., XLIX. 896. They have likewise a gently constringing taste.
1858. Bushnell, Serm. New Life, 322. The constringing littleness of all selfish passion.
