As-trīn'ge', v. t.
[imp. & p. p. ASTRINGED; p. pr. & vb. n. ASTRINGING.] [Lat. astringere, from ad and stringere, to draw tight, to strain. See STRAIN.]
Sense 1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to draw together; to compress.
Which contraction . . . astringeth the moisture of the brain, and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes. Bacon.
Sense 2. To bind by obligation. Wolsey.