styptic

adjective

styp·​tic ˈstip-tik 

: tending to contract or bind : astringent

especially : tending to check bleeding

styptic noun

Did you know?

People long ago recognized the power of certain substances to bind or contract organic tissue-a quality that has various uses and benefits. English speakers weren't original in this knowledge, and they copied speakers of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-French when they designated this quality as "styptic" in the Middle Ages. (The word in Greek, "styptikos," is from "styphein," which means "to contract.") One thing that a styptic substance can do is stop bleeding, and almost from the start the word styptic has referred to this quality especially. It has also been applied to things that make your mouth contract, or pucker, as well as to substances that might affect your digestive organs with a "binding" effect.

Examples of styptic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While not a serious injury, even just nicking the quick can be a painful and surprisingly bloody mishap — another good reason to have styptic powder (and maybe an old towel) handy. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023

This styptic powder is a quick and affordable way to make trimming your pet's nails at home way easier and less of a mess. —Carly Kulzer, PEOPLE.com, 3 Feb. 2022

For those especially pernicious cuts, however, apply a styptic pencil. —Scott Christian, Esquire, 28 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stiptik, from Anglo-French, from Latin stypticus, from Greek styptikos, from styphein to contract

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing styptic

• styptic pencil

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Medical Definition

styptic

1 of 2 adjective

styp·​tic ˈstip-tik 

: tending to check bleeding

the styptic effect of cold

especially : having the property of arresting oozing of blood (as from a shallow surface injury) when applied to a bleeding part

styptic agent

styptic

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) having a styptic effect