Definition of the word astringent

The word "astringent" originates from the Latin word "astringere," which means "to draw tight" or "to bind." This Latin verb is a combination of "ad," meaning "to," and "stringere," meaning "to draw tight" or "to bind." In the 15th century, the Latin word "astringere" was borrowed into Middle English as "astringent," initially referring to any substance that caused the contraction or binding of tissues, such as a medicine that caused the contraction of the skin or a natural substance that bound and dried up the saliva. Over time, the word "astringent" has come to be used more broadly to describe anything that has a binding or constricting effect, such as a person's personality or a particular situation.