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costive |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Costive \Cos"tive\ (k?s"t?v), a. [OF. costev['e], p. p. of costever F. constiper L. constipare to press closely together, to cram; con- + stipare to press together, cram. See {Stipulate}, {Stiff}, and cf {Constipate}.] 1. Retaining fecal matter in the bowels; having too slow a motion of the bowels; constipated. 2. Reserved; formal; close cold. [Obs.] ``A costive brain.'' --Prior. ``Costive of laughter.'' --B. Jonson You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and close but without being costive. --Lord Chesterfield. 3. Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding. [Obs.] Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the sun and wind. --Mortimer. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: costive adj : retarding evacuation of feces [ant: {laxative}]
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