costive

adjective

cos·​tive ˈkä-stiv How to pronounce costive (audio)
ˈkȯ-
1
a
: affected with constipation
b
: causing constipation
2
: slow in action or expression
3
: not generous : stingy
costively adverb
costiveness noun

Examples of costive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In fact, their writings are more pungent now that they have been liberated from the costive confines of the movement. Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020 Movies coiled up in other movies have a habit of becoming either costive or cute, but somehow Falardeau avoids the traps. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'costive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French costivé, past participle of costiver to constipate, from Latin constipare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of costive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near costive

Cite this Entry

“Costive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costive. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

costive

adjective
cos·​tive ˈkäs-tiv How to pronounce costive (audio)
1
: affected with constipation
2
: causing constipation
a costive diet

Medical Definition

costive

adjective
cos·​tive ˈkäs-tiv, ˈkȯs- How to pronounce costive (audio)
1
: affected with constipation
2
: causing constipation
costiveness noun

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