astringent

(as-trin’jent) [L. astrin’gens, from ad to + str in’gere to bind]. 1. Causing contraction and arresting discharges. 2. An agent that arrests discharges. The principal astringents are silver nitrate, tannic acid, gallic acid, lead acetate. zinc sulphate, catechu, kino, alum, and dilute mineral acids.