[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
1. The state or condition of being costive; confinement of the bowels, constipation.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xvii. 76. Men duse it [manna] in medecines … for costyfnes.
1528. Paynell, Salerne’s Regim., B iij. Hit … ofte tymes induceth stronge costiuenes.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xx. (1887), 84. Walking is good for … costifnesse.
1748. Anson, Voy., I. x. 101. It produced an obstinate costiveness.
1866. A. Flint, Princ. Med. (1880), 532. The terms constipation and costiveness are commonly used as synonyms…. The latter is sometimes used to denote a less degree of insufficiency than the former.
2. fig. The state or quality of being close or reserved: see COSTIVE 2. arch.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 128. Such a costivenesse hath seised his Purse, nothing but a Tax … can loosen it.
1792. Wakefield, Mem., 216 (T.). A reverend disputant of the same costiveness in publick elocution with myself.
