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constrict

verb

/kənˈstrɪkt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of constrict

To tighten or compress something, often resulting in a reduction in its size or volume.
"Snakes like pythons constrict their prey to incapacitate them."

Detailed meaning of constrict

It can refer to physical constriction, as when a muscle constricts or a blood vessel constricts, limiting blood flow. It can also refer to more abstract or metaphorical forms of constriction, such as when laws or regulations constrict a person's freedoms or when anxiety or fear constricts a person's thoughts or emotions. The term "constrict" is often associated with a sense of pressure or restriction, and can be used to describe both involuntary and deliberate actions. Constriction can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical forces, psychological factors, and external factors such as social norms or laws.

Example sentences containing constrict

1. If you constrict the airflow, the fire will die down.
2. With a tourniquet, doctors constrict blood flow to prevent excessive bleeding.
3. When you constrict the hose, water pressure increases.
4. Cold temperatures often constrict blood vessels, which can make your fingers and toes feel numb.
5. Tension and stress can constrict your breathing.
6. The thick fog started to constrict my field of vision.

History and etymology of constrict

The verb 'constrict' has its etymological origins in Latin, specifically from the word 'constringere,' which is a combination of 'con,' meaning 'together,' and 'stringere,' meaning 'to bind' or 'to tighten.' This Latin term conveyed the idea of binding or tightening things together, which is precisely what 'constrict' signifies in English. The process of constricting involves the tightening or compression of something, often leading to a reduction in its size or volume. The etymology of 'constrict' highlights its historical connection to the act of binding or bringing things together in a tighter or more compact form, capturing the essence of constriction as a process of narrowing or tightening.

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Further usage examples of constrict

1. Muscles constrict when they contract.
2. Trees can constrict the growth of plants under them by blocking sunlight.
3. We must not constrict the freedom of speech.
4. I don't want to constrict your creativity, so feel free to explore different ideas.
5. They constrict the supply to increase demand.
6. Tight collars can constrict blood flow to the brain.
7. The new regulations constrict the company’s ability to trade overseas.
8. Too much caffeine can constrict your blood vessels.
9. If you constrict the space too much, it will become claustrophobic.
10. The bandage needs to be tight enough to constrict the wound but not too tight to cut off circulation.
11. The magician used a rope to constrict the box and then made it vanish.
12. The roots of the old oak tree constrict the flow of water in the pipes.
13. The elastic band helps to constrict the rolled-up map so it doesn’t unravel.
14. The regulation constricted the use of pesticides in the agricultural industry.