astringency
/əs'trindʤənsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A substance's property of contracting body tissues: The quality of being astringent, meaning it can cause the contraction of skin or bodily tissues, often to reduce bleeding or secretions.
- A sharp, puckering taste: A dry, bitter, and slightly sour taste sensation that causes the mouth to pucker, commonly associated with certain foods and drinks.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Medical/Taste Property):
- The astringency of the alum solution helps to stop minor bleeding from cuts.
- The tea's high astringency made my mouth feel dry and puckered.
- Noun (Figurative Severity):
- The critic's review was noted for its intellectual astringency and lack of sentimentality.
Advanced Usage
- "To have an astringency": To possess a sharp, contracting quality.
- The unripe persimmon has a remarkable astringency that disappears when the fruit ripens.
- Used figuratively for style or tone: Describing a manner that is severely critical, sharp, or morally strict.
- The documentary was praised for its astringency in dealing with the complex ethical issues.
Variants and Related Words
- Astringent (adj/n): Having an astringent quality; a substance with astringent properties.
- (Adj.) Witch hazel is an astringent lotion. (N.) The dermatologist applied an astringent.
- Astringently (adv): In an astringent manner.
- She wrote astringently about the political failures.
Synonyms
- Puckerness: The quality of causing a puckering sensation in the mouth.
- Styptic quality: The property of stopping bleeding (specifically for the medical sense).
- Severity: Harshness, strictness (for the figurative sense).
- Acerbity: Sharpness or bitterness, especially of tone or taste.
Antonyms
- Emolliency: The quality of softening or soothing the skin.
- Sweetness: A pleasant, sugary taste (opposite of the taste sensation).
- Mildness: Gentleness, lack of harshness.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "To cut through with astringency": To analyze or critique with sharp, unsparing clarity.
- Her argument cut through the confusion with its characteristic astringency.
Noun
- the ability to contract or draw together soft body tissues to check blood flow or restrict secretion of fluids
- a sharp astringent taste; the taste experience when a substance causes the mouth to pucker