Constrictively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that causes reduction in size or volume, imposing limits on expansion or movement, thus affecting overall functionality
2. By means of a method that compresses or narrows, which serves to hinder or restrict one's ability to operate freely
3. In a manner that causes tightening or narrowing, limiting space or movement

Etymology: Constrictively is a plain formation: the adjective "constrictive" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added, meaning "in a constrictive way." The adjective itself was built from "constrict," which descends from Latin "constrictus," the past participle of "cōnstringere," meaning "to draw tight together." That verb combined "cōn-" (together) with "stringere" (to draw tight, bind), and the same Latin root gave English words like "strict" and "stringent." The adjective "constrictive" is formed from "constrict" plus the suffix "-ive," which entered English through Old French "-if" from Latin "-īvus," a suffix that turns verbs into adjectives meaning "tending to" or "having the quality of" the action. So a constrictive thing is one that tends to tighten or squeeze. The final "-ly" comes from Old English "-līce," which made adjectives into adverbs, so "constrictively" describes an action carried out in that tightening manner.

Synonyms: tightly

Antonyms: loosely