The word “astringent” traces its origins to the Latin word “astringere,” meaning “to bind fast.” This term evolved through Old French and Middle English before arriving in its current form. In its original medical context, it referred to substances that contracted body tissues, thereby stemming bleeding or secretions. Today, “astringent” describes not only the medicinal properties of such substances but also metaphorically extends to any quality or characteristic that is sharp, severe, or stringent in nature, such as a stringent argument or astringent criticism. The essence of “astringent” lies in its connotation of tightness, rigidity, or strictness, both in its literal and figurative applications.
