<verb.contact> Lemon juice astringes the tissue in the mouth
become constricted or compressed
<verb.change> The cold substance astringes
Astringe \As*tringe"\ ([a^]s*tr[i^]nj"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Astringed} (-tr[i^]njd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Astringing} (-j[i^]ng).] [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight. Cf. {Astrict}, and see {Strain}, v. t.] 1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to draw together; to compress.
Which contraction . . . astringeth the moisture of the brain and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes. --Bacon.
2. To bind by moral or legal obligation. --Wolsey.