English Explanatory Dictionary

constrict

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To narrow, especially by application of pressure.
  2. To coil around (prey) in order to asphyxiate it. (of a snake)
  3. To limit or restrict.

Pronunciation

/kənˈstɹɪkt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-constrict.wav

Word forms

constrict constricts constricting constricted

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin cōn- Proto-Indo-European *strengʰ-der. Proto-Indo-European *streyg-der. Latin stringō Latin cōnstringō Latin cōnstrictusbor. English constrict Borrowed from Latin cōnstrictus (“compressed, contracted”), past participle of cōnstringō (“to draw or bind together; to compress”). Doublet of constrain.

Synonyms

inhibit

Related words

constraint constriction constrictor restrict strict

Derived words

constrictive hyperconstrict nonconstricting reconstrict unconstrict vasoconstrict
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