constipatedadj.
/ˈkɒnstɪpeɪtɪd/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > [adjective] > make (more) dense or solid > by compaction or compression
compressedc1374
compacta1398
hard-pressed1562
compacted1598
condensed1606
compress1647
constipated1647
confert1661
clotted1674
noddena1864
tabloid1890
1647 H. More Philos. Poems i. i. xxviii Sense cannot..penetrate the crusty fence Of constipated matter close compresse.
2.
a. Of or in reference to the bowels: Confined, rendered costive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > excretory disorders > [adjective] > constipated
fastOE
costivea1400
hardbound?a1425
embowelled1486
encumber1486
bound1530
constipate1542
constipated1547
styptic1582
costic1595
belly-bound1607
restringenta1661
unmoved1810
confined1822
screwbound1837
impacted1844
1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. Cxviiv Beware that the bely be nat constupated or costiue.
1849 R. T. Claridge Cold-water Cure (1869) 165 Digestion improved; no longer constipated.
b. figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > [adjective] > hindering or retarding > hindered or retarded > as if constipated
hardbound?a1425
bound1704
constipated1891
1891 ‘M. Twain’ Lett. to Publishers (1967) 277 You will now have to modify your instalment system to meet the emergency of a constipated purse.
1937 E. Partridge Dict. Slang 177/1 Constipated, slow to part with money.
1967 Economist 4 Feb. 423/2 So much evolutionary detail has had to be dealt with for the first time that the first half of the book makes rather constipated reading.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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adj.1547