[ad. L. agglūtinant-em pr. pple. of agglūtinā-re: see next.]
A. adj.
1. Gluing, cementing; uniting closely.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VIII. 300. A little Lint, with an agglutinant plaster … shuts the hole securely.
1758. Layard, Dis. Eye, in Phil. Trans., I. 753. Such agglutinant and contracting collyria, as may reduce the distended coats and vessels to their former size.
† 2. Med. Having the property of adhering to the internal organs and making up for waste. Obs.
1756. Gray, Wks. (1825), II. 192. For which I shall beg you to prescribe me something strengthening and agglutinant, lest it turn to a confirmed phthisis.
1783. P. Potts, Chirurg. Wks., II. 388. This want of an agglutinant quality in the blood.
B. sb. [The adj. used absol.]
1. Any sticky or viscous substance which causes bodies to adhere together.
1752. Sir J. Hill, Hist. Anim., 297 (Jod.). The ichthyocalla, or isingglass of the shop, famous as an agglutinant.
† 2. Med. A medicine supposed to adhere to and supply the waste of tissue. Obs.
1718. Quincy, Eng. Dispens., II. 96. Of Agglutinents.
1720. Gibson, Dispens., I. (1734), 47. Restoratives … by their peculiar properties termed Agglutinants, or Binders.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Agglutinants, agglutinantia, in medicine a species of strengthening medicines, whose office and effect is to adhere to the solid parts of the body, and thus recruit and supply the place of what is worn off, and wasted in the animal actions.
