styptic

English

Alternative forms

• styptick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Latin stypticus, from Ancient Greek στυπτικός (stuptikos), from στύφειν (stuphein, “to contract”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈstɪptɪk/

Adjective

styptic (comparative more styptic, superlative most styptic)

1. Bringing about contraction of tissues; harsh, raw, austere.
   • 1982, TC Boyle, Water Music, Penguin 2006, p. 328:

     Boyles turns to look over his shoulder, squinting into the styptic sun, and then flags a hand over his head.

2. Specifically, that stops bleeding.
   • 1973, Nicholas Monsarrat, The Kapillan of Malta:

     The growth on top was a scrubby plant, unknown anywhere else on Malta, which was believed to have styptic qualities – it could staunch bleeding when packed on top of a wound […].

Noun

styptic (plural styptics)

1. A substance used for styptic results.
   • 1876: Henry Beasley, The Book of Prescriptions

     The powdered gum with resin is used as a styptic; and the mucilage has been recommended as an application to burns.

   • 1889: John Barclay Biddle, Materia Medica and Therapeutics: For Physicians and Students

     Externally, it is applied as a styptic, and in solution, of various strengths, as an astringent.

   • 1990: A. L. Tommie Bass et al., Herbal Medicine Past and Present

     Knowledge of puffball's use as a styptic and for hemorrhoids reached Bass through the popular tradition.

Derived terms

• styptic pencil