Progression

styptic (STIP-tik) adjective

styptic (STIP-tik) adjective

1. Able to check bleeding, whether by contracting the tissues or by promoting clotting.

2. Tending to contract organic tissues.

noun

A substance that stop bleeding of minor cuts.

[From Late Latin stypticus, from Greek stupikos, from stuphein, (to contract).]

Today's word in Visual Thesaurus: http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=styptic

"'I'm looking for a styptic pencil for an elderly guest,' Tom explained. The styptic pencil - used to stave off minor bleeding - was not to be found but Tom was delighted to come across some Burma Shave, left on the shelf from a bygone age."
Bruce Bellingham; Kindness of Strangers; San Francisco Examiner; Dec 2, 2003.

This week's theme: words related to medicine.

   

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Posted by Keya at September 2, 2005 08:14 AM