Also 6–7 adstriction. [ad. L. a(d)strictiōn-em, n. of action f. astringĕre to ASTRINGE. Cf. F. astriction, 16th c. in Littré.]
1. The action of binding or drawing close together, esp. the soft organic tissues; the state of being thus bound; constriction; constipation.
1568. Turner, Herbal, II. 110 a. Seth the gall if the disease requyre great adstriction or bindyng … in wyne.
1655. Culpepper, Riverius, II. i. 63. This Disease is also begot by adstriction … of the Optick Nerves.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 268. Subject to Astriction of the Belly.
1853. Mayne, Exp. Lex., Astriction, term for the act of using, or the state produced by the use of, astringent medicines; also for constipation.
† 2. Astringent quality, astringency. Obs.
1551. Turner, Herbal (1568), 94. The roote is full of iuice, bytyng wyth a certayne astriction.
1662. J. Chandler, Van Helmont’s Oriat., 251. The tast of astriction, or an earthly sharpness or harshness.
1750. Pringle, in Phil. Trans., XLVI. 552. Endued with Qualities of … Astriction, and the like.
† 3. Moral or legal binding; obligation, bond. ? Obs.
1536. Bellenden, Cron. Scot. (1821), I. 56. He wald bind him … under quhat astrictionis thay plesit.
a. 1631. Donne, Aristeas (1633), 141. Linked together by astriction of firme amity.
1643. Milton, Divorce, xiii. (1851), 53. Hence will not follow any divine astriction more then what is subordinate to the glory of God.
4. Restriction; spec. obligation to have grain ground at a particular mill: see ASTRICTED.
1619. Sacrilege Sacr. Handled, 6. If astriction to holy and Ceremoniall persons … maketh a thing truely Legall and Ceremoniall.
1836. S. Laing, Resid. Norway, i. 48. In Norway there is no astriction to mills.
