Library / English Dictionary

CONSTRICT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become tight or as if tight

Example:

Her throat constricted

Synonyms:

constrict; constringe; narrow

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "constrict" is one way to...):

tighten (become tight or tighter)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "constrict"):

astringe (become constricted or compressed)

strangulate (become constricted)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

constriction (tight or narrow compression)

constriction (a narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Squeeze or press together

Example:

the spasm contracted the muscle

Synonyms:

compact; compress; constrict; contract; press; squeeze

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "constrict" is one way to...):

tighten (become tight or tighter)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "constrict"):

choke; strangle (constrict (someone's) throat and keep from breathing)

prim (contract one's lips)

astringe (constrict or bind or draw together)

strangulate (constrict a hollow organ or vessel so as to stop the flow of blood or air)

convulse (contract involuntarily, as in a spasm)

convulse (cause to contract)

bear down; overbear (contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery)

choke; fret; gag (be too tight; rub or press)

choke; scrag (wring the neck of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

constriction (the action or process of compressing)

constrictor (any of various large nonvenomous snakes that kill their prey by crushing it in its coils)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Losartan potassium blocks the action of chemicals that make blood vessels constrict (get narrower).

(Losartan potassium, NCI Dictionary)

Phenolphthalein exerts laxative effects by stimulating the intestinal mucosa and constricting smooth muscles.

(Phenolphthalein, NCI Thesaurus)

Administered as an ophthalmic solution, this drug stimulates the cholinoceptors in the sphincter muscle of the iris, causing the pupil to constrict.

(Acetylcholine Chloride, NCI Thesaurus)

And then a spasm constricted her mouth for an instant: as it passed away she turned and left the room, and so did I. Neither of us had dropt a tear.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

From there they constrict the linings of the blood vessels and the nervous system, and raise blood pressure.

(Air Pollution Can Trigger Glaucoma, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Acute or chronic inflammation of the iris and ciliary body characterized by exudates into the anterior chamber, discoloration of the iris, and constricted, sluggish pupil.

(Iridocyclitis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Isometheptene is an indirect-acting sympathomimetic agent with vasoconstricting activity, thereby reducing the pulsation in cerebral arteries by constricting dilated cerebral blood vessels.

(Isometheptene/Dichloralphenazone/Acetaminophen, NCI Thesaurus)

The clear constricted portion of the chromosome at which the chromatids are joined and by which the chromosome is attached to the spindle during cell division.

(Centromere, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Upon ocular administration, brimonidine acts on the blood vessels causing them to constrict which leads to a decrease in the production of aqueous humor.

(Brimonidine, NCI Thesaurus)

Upon ocular administration, brimonidine tartrate acts on the blood vessels causing them to constrict which leads to a decrease in the production of aqueous humor.

(Brimonidine Tartrate, NCI Thesaurus)