astrild (astrild)

[ As trild a, Estrelda : see Estrelda.] A bird of the genus Estrelda (which see): as, the gray astrild, Estrelda cinerea. astringe (as-trinj'), v.; pret. and pp. astringed, ppr. astringing. [Early mod. E. also adstringe, Which contraction. a string eth the moisture of the ... brain, and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes. Bacon, Nat. Hist., § 714. 21. Figuratively, to oblige; constrain; bind by obligation. II. in trans . To become solid; congeal. Hol land. IMG:content-1300.png:[blocks in formation] Arbuthnot , Aliments. II. n. A substance which contracts the ti ues and canals of the body, condensing the soft solids, and thereby checking or diminishing exce ive discharges, as of blood. The chief astringents are the mineral acids, alum, lime-water, chalk, salts of copper, zinc, iron, lead, and silver, and among vegetables catechu, kino, oak-bark, and galls. Vegetable astringents owe their efficacy to the presence of tannin. Formerly also ads trin gent . astringently (as-trin'jent-li), adv. In an astringent manner. astringer (as'trin-jėr), n. See austringer. astrite (as'trīt), n. [ astro-. [