styptic

styptic /styp·tic/ (stip´tik)

1. contracting the tissues or blood vessels; used particularly to denote that arresting hemorrhage or resulting in hemostasis.

2. an agent that so acts.

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styp·tic (stptk)

adj.

1. Contracting the tissues or blood vessels; astringent.

2. Tending to check bleeding by contracting the tissues or blood vessels; hemostatic.

n.

A styptic drug or substance.

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styp·tici·ty (-ts-t) n.

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Styptic

Any remedy with an astringent and hemo-static (stopping bleeding) quality.

Mentioned in: Nosebleed

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styptic

[stip′tik]

Etymology: Gk, styptikos, astringent

1  n, a substance used as an astringent, often to control bleeding. A chemical styptic induces coagulation of blood. A cotton pledget used as a compress to control bleeding is a mechanical styptic.

2  adj, acting as an astringent or agent to control bleeding.

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styptic (stipˑ·tik),

adj ability to quickly contract tissues to stop heavy bleeding.

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styptic,

n a hemostatic astringent.

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styptic

1. arresting hemorrhage by means of an astringent quality.

2. a markedly astringent remedy. A chemical styptic works by causing the formation of a blood clot by chemical action. A vascular styptic checks bleeding by causing the blood vessels to contract. A mechanical styptic assists clotting by mechanical means—for example, when one applies a piece of paper or cotton to a slight razor cut.