'Costive' definitions:
Definition of 'costive'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Retarding evacuation of feces; binding; constipating [ant: laxative]
Definition of 'Costive'
From: GCIDE
- Costive \Cos"tive\ (k?s"t?v), a. [OF. costev['e], p. p. of costever, F. constiper, L. constipare to press closely together, to cram; con- + stipare to press together, cram. See Stipulate, Stiff, and cf. Constipate.]
- 1. Retaining fecal matter in the bowels; having too slow a motion of the bowels; constipated. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Reserved; formal; close; cold. [Obs.] "A costive brain." --Prior. "Costive of laughter." --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
- You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and close, but without being costive. --Lord Chesterfield. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the sun and wind. --Mortimer. [1913 Webster]