[ad. L. coar(c)tātiōn-em ‘drawing or pressing together,’ n. of action f. coar(c)tāre to COARCT. Cf. mod.F. coarctation.]
1. The action of compressing tightly or narrowly; compression, constriction, restraint; the fact of being so compressed.
1545. Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, 54. The which thinges may cause such straytnes and coarctation that [etc.].
1694. Phil. Trans., XVIII. 227. Coarctation of the Veins, whereby the refluent Blood is hindred.
1794. G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., I. iv. 94. The force it employs to gain its liberty being always proportionable to its coarctation or density.
1799. Kirwan, Geol. Ess., 87. Many other changes … such are the total separation of Asia from America, the coarctation of the Baltic.
b. now chiefly in Phys. or Pathol.
1545. [see 1].
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vi. 95. Affected with coarctation of the breast, or astriction of the belly.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., IX. 343. A coarctation and straitness of the Urinary Duct.
1805. A. Carlisle, in Phil. Trans., XCV. 8. The gradual coarctation of the cellular canals.
c. concr.
1691. Ray, Creation, II. (1701), 284. If you straiten the Artery … the vessel will notwithstanding continue still to beat below or beyond the coarctation.
2. Confinement or restriction as to limits; limitation; restriction of action, choice, etc.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. i. § 3. The true bounds and limitations, whereby humane knowledge is confined and circumscribed; and yet without any such contracting or coarctation, but that [etc.].
1656. Hobbes, Liberty, Necess. & Ch., 215 (J.). Election is opposed, not only to coaction, but also to coarctation, or determination to one.
1677. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, II. IV. 80. Al mater … brings with it limits and coarctation.
