astringency

[In Fr. astringence; Port. ads trin gen cia, a str in gen cia; Ital, astringenza, astringenzia; from Lat. a string ens, pr. par. of astringo = to draw close, to bind.] [ASTRINGE.] The act or power of binding or contracting any part of the bodily frame. (It is opposed to RELAXATION). "Astriction prohibit eth di olution; as, in medicines, astringents inhibit putrefaction; and by astringency, some small quantity of oil of vitriol will keep fresh water long from putrefying."-Bacon: Nat. Hist. "Acid, acrid, austere, and bitter substances, by their astringency, create horrour; that is, stimulate the fibres."-Arbuthnot.