Constringed

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To be subjected to a force that results in being drawn together or made smaller in dimensions
2. Being pulled or compressed into a tighter form or space
3. Contracted or made more compact through external pressure or force

Etymology: "Constringed" is the past tense and past participle of "constringe," a verb meaning to draw together or compress. The verb comes from Latin "cōnstringere," which combines "con-" (together) with "stringere" (to draw tight, bind). That Latin root is also behind "constrain," the verb it shares its origin with, so the two words are close relatives that took somewhat different paths into English: "constrain" stayed closer to the sense of binding or restricting, while "constringe" kept the physical image of things being squeezed together.

Synonyms: contracted, tightened

Antonyms: expanded, loosened