constipate

[ kon-stuh-peyt ]
/ ˈkɒn stəˌpeɪt /

verb (used with object), con·sti·pat·ed, con·sti·pat·ing.

to cause constipation in; make costive.
Informal. to cause to become slow-moving or immobilized; restrict the action or effectiveness of: Bureaucratic red tape can constipate the operations of any government agency.
Obsolete. to crowd or pack closely together.

Origin of constipate

1375–1425; late Middle English (past participle) < Latin constīpātus (past participle of constīpāre), equivalent to con- con- + stīpā- (stem of stīpāre to crowd, press) + -tus past participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM constipate

un·con·sti·pat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for constipated

British Dictionary definitions for constipated (1 of 2)

constipated
/ (ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪtɪd) /

adjective

suffering from constipation
subject to restriction or blockage in a flow of productive activity or creativity

British Dictionary definitions for constipated (2 of 2)

constipate
/ (ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to cause constipation in

Word Origin for constipate

C16: from Latin constīpāre to press closely together, from stīpāre to crowd together

Medical definitions for constipated (1 of 2)

constipated
[ kŏnstə-pā′tĭd ]

adj.

Suffering from constipation.

Medical definitions for constipated (2 of 2)

constipate
[ kŏnstə-pāt′ ]

v.

To cause constipation in the bowels.