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con·strict

(kən-strĭkt)

v. con·strict·ed, con·strict·ing, con·stricts

v.tr.

1. To make smaller or narrower by binding or squeezing.

2. To squeeze or compress.

3. To restrict the scope or freedom of; cramp: lives constricted by poverty.

v.intr.

To become constricted.

[Latin cōnstringere, cōnstrict-, to compress; see CONSTRAIN.]

con·strictive adj.

con·strictive·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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