Added 8 October 2026
constipate
/ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪt/ verb
Latin root: cōnstīpātus First recorded: 1425 Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about constipate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
To cause constipation in, render costive.
The medication can constipate you if you’re not drinking enough water.
-
To constrict, contract (tissues, the body, fibres, etc.); to make firm and compact by pressing together.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
-
To pack or crowd together.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
adjective
- Constipated, costive.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)