costive

adjective

cos·​tive ˈkä-stiv 

ˈkȯ-

1

a

: affected with constipation

b

: causing constipation

2

: slow in action or expression

3

: not generous : stingy

costively adverb

costiveness noun

Examples of costive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, their writings are more pungent now that they have been liberated from the costive confines of the movement. —Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020

Movies coiled up in other movies have a habit of becoming either costive or cute, but somehow Falardeau avoids the traps. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French costivé, past participle of costiver to constipate, from Latin constipare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

costive

adjective

cos·​tive ˈkäs-tiv 

1

: affected with constipation

2

: causing constipation

a costive diet

Medical Definition

costive

adjective

cos·​tive ˈkäs-tiv, ˈkȯs- 

1

: affected with constipation

2

: causing constipation

costiveness noun