constringe
/kən'strindʤ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To cause to contract or tighten; to constrict: "constringe" means to make something become narrower, tighter, or more compact by drawing together, often through squeezing or compression.
- To cause to shrink or draw together: It can describe the action of causing parts to come together, reducing size or volume.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- The cold air seemed to constringe the muscles in his chest.
- Applying pressure to the wound will help constringe the blood vessels and slow the bleeding.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific/Medical Context: Often used in technical writing to describe physiological or physical processes of contraction.
- Certain chemicals can constringe the pupils of the eyes.
- Figurative Use: Can describe a tightening effect on abstract things like time or focus.
- The looming deadline began to constringe our available options.
Variants and Related Words
- Constriction (n): The action of making something narrower or tighter; the state of being constricted.
- The constriction of the artery was causing health problems.
- Constrict (v): To make narrower or tighter by squeezing or contracting. (A more common synonym).
- The snake can constrict its prey.
Synonyms
- Constrict: To draw together or press in from all sides; compress.
- Contract: To draw together the parts of; to reduce in size.
- Squeeze: To press firmly from all sides.
- Compress: To press or squeeze together into a smaller space.
Antonyms
- Expand: To increase in size, volume, or scope.
- Dilate: To make wider or larger; to cause to expand.
- Loosen: To make less tight or firm.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- To constringe upon itself: A phrase describing something tightening or coiling inward.
- Under stress, his writing style seemed to constringe upon itself, becoming very dense.
Verb
- become tight or as if tight
- Her throat constricted