v. Also 6–7 adstringe. 7 astring. [ad. L. a-, ad-stringĕre, f. ad to + stringĕre to tie, bind.]
1. trans. To bind together, draw close (the organic tissues); to constrict, compress; hence, to render costive, constipate.
1562. Bulleyn, Bk. Simples, 41 b. Ivy is of a contrary … facultie, adstringing, binding.
1607. Topsell, Serpents, 789. Cobweb adstringeth … and closeth up wounds.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vi. 95. They coarctate the breast, and astringe the belly.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., Vinegar … will so much astringe the Fibres of the whole Body.
1875. H. Wood, Therap. (1879), 25. Every living soft tissue … may … have its tonicity increased, or be astringed.
† 2. intr. To become constricted or compressed.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 819 (R.). The moister anything is … given it is to cold, to astringe and congeal.
† 3. trans. To bind morally or legally; to put under obligation or necessity; to oblige. Obs.
1523. State Papers Hen. VIII., I. 119. Your Grace is not astringed or bounden to any charge.
1635. [Glapthorne], Lady Mother, V. ii. Natures does astring a dewteous child To obey his parent.
1752. Law, Spir. Love, I. 32. The desire, as astringing, always begets a resistance equal to itself.
