Dictionary

constipate en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪt/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

The adjective is first attested circa 1425, in Middle English, the verb in 1541; inherited from Middle English constipat(e) (“constipated”), borrowed Medieval Latin cōnstīpātus (“constipated”) (or through its Old French equivalent constipé), perfect passive participle of Medieval Latin cōnstīpō (“to cause constipation, to constipate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from Classical Latin cōnstīpō (“to crowd or press tightly together”) (whence obsoleted sense 2 and 3), itself from con- + stīpō (“to press, cram”). Cognate with Middle English constipen (“to constipate”) and doublet of costive; related to stiff.

Meanings

1. (obsolete) Constipated, costive.
   • By […] much Sweating, the Bowels were heated, and dry'd, and rendred Constipate. 1697, Robert Peirce, Bath Memoirs, or Observations in three-and-forty years, II. i. 255:

Forms

wikipedia: Old French · wikipedia: Middle English · wikipedia: Classical Latin

constipate en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪt/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

The adjective is first attested circa 1425, in Middle English, the verb in 1541; inherited from Middle English constipat(e) (“constipated”), borrowed Medieval Latin cōnstīpātus (“constipated”) (or through its Old French equivalent constipé), perfect passive participle of Medieval Latin cōnstīpō (“to cause constipation, to constipate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from Classical Latin cōnstīpō (“to crowd or press tightly together”) (whence obsoleted sense 2 and 3), itself from con- + stīpō (“to press, cram”). Cognate with Middle English constipen (“to constipate”) and doublet of costive; related to stiff.

Meanings

1. (ambitransitive) To cause constipation in, render costive.
   • A lack of fiber can constipate the body, leading to discomfort.
   • The long hours of travel seemed to constipate his digestion.
   • The medication can constipate you if you’re not drinking enough water.
2. (obsolete) To constrict, contract (tissues, the body, fibres, etc.); to make firm and compact by pressing together.
3. (obsolete) To pack or crowd together.

Forms

Deriveds

constipative

Relateds

constipation

Translations (14)

de verstopfen (to cause constipation in) · fi ummettaa (to cause constipation in) · es estreñir (to cause constipation in) · bg причинявам запек (to cause constipation in) · fi aiheuttaa ummetusta (to cause constipation in) · gl estrinxir (to cause constipation in) · fr constiper (to cause constipation in) · ru вызывать запор (to cause constipation in) · ga triomaigh (to cause constipation in) · ru крепить (to cause constipation in) · ja 便秘する (to cause constipation in) · de überfüllen (to pack or crowd together) · fi kovettaa vatsaa (to cause constipation in) · ro constipa (to cause constipation in)

wikipedia: Old French · wikipedia: Middle English · wikipedia: Classical Latin