styptic

[ stip-tik ]

adjective

1. serving to contract organic tissue; astringent; binding.
2. serving to check hemorrhage or bleeding, as a drug; hemostatic.

noun

1. a styptic agent or substance.

styptic

/ stɪpˈtɪsɪtɪ; ˈstɪptɪk /

adjective

1. contracting the blood vessels or tissues

noun

1. a styptic drug

Derived Forms

• stypticity, noun

Other Words From

• styp·tic·i·ty [stip-, tis, -i-tee], stypti·cal·ness noun
• non·styptic adjective
• non·stypti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of styptic¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin stȳpticus < Greek stȳpikós contractile, equivalent to stȳp- ( stypsis ) + -tikos -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of styptic¹

C14: via Late Latin, from Greek stuptikos capable of contracting; see stypsis

Example Sentences

The pilots transport medical supplies for cancer patients, first-aid kits for bone fractures, styptic drugs and medicines that need to be refrigerated, such as insulin.

From Reuters

Herb robert smells musky when crushed, but the juice is a powerful styptic, stopping a cut or a thorn wound in seconds.

From The Guardian

Police say they found medical tape, nail files and styptic powder, used to stop bleeding.

From Washington Times

Also, styptic pencils to stanch cuts, and tampons, for nosebleeds, ominous inclusions in an environment where bodily fluids may be deadly.

From New York Times

But I waited while he dabbed at the cut with styptic powder.

From Literature