styptic

comparative more styptic · superlative most styptic · alternative obsolete styptick

1. Bringing about contraction of tissues; harsh, raw, austere.

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

   1982, TC Boyle, Water Music, Penguin, published 2006, page 328

2. broadlymedicineThat stops bleeding; especially, in a minor way, topically.

   But I waited while he dabbed at the cut with styptic powder.

   1959, Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon

   1 more example

   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 […].

   1973, Nicholas Monsarrat, The Kapillan of Malta

plural styptics · alternative obsolete styptick

1. A substance used for styptic results.

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

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

   2 more examples

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

   1876, Henry Beasley, The Book of Prescriptions

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

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