Part 416

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.

As*trin"gen*cy (s*trn"jen*s), n. The quality of being astringent; the power of contracting the parts of the body; that quality in medicines or other substances which causes contraction of the organic textures; as, the astringency of tannin.

As*trin"gent (-jent), a. [L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.] 1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; -- opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.

2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.

As*trin"gent, n. A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood, mucus, etc.

External astringents are called styptics. Dunglison.

As*trin"gent*ly, adv. In an astringent manner.

As*trin"ger (&?;), n. [OE. ostreger, OF. ostrucier, F. autoursier, fr. OF. austour, ostor, hawk, F. autour; cf. L. acceptor, for accipiter, hawk.] A falconer who keeps a goshawk. [Obs.] Shak. Cowell. [Written also austringer.]

As"tro- (&?;). The combining form of the Greek word 'a`stron, meaning star.

{ As"tro*fel, As"tro*fell } (&?;), n. A bitter herb, probably the same as aster, or starwort. Spenser.

As*trog"e*ny (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. &?; birth.] The creation or evolution of the stars or the heavens. H. Spencer.

As*trog"no*sy (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. &?; knowledge.] The science or knowledge of the stars, esp. the fixed stars. Bouvier.

As*trog"o*ny (&?;), n. Same as Astrogeny. -- As`*tro*gon"ic (&?;), a.

As*trog"ra*phy (&?;), n. [Astro'cf + -graphy.] The art of describing or delineating the stars; a description or mapping of the heavens.

As"tro*ite (&?;), n. [L. astroites: cf. F. astroite.] A radiated stone or fossil; star-stone. [Obs.] [Written also astrite and astrion.]

As"tro*labe (s"tr*lb), n. [OE. astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F. astrolabe, LL. astrolabium, fr. Gr. 'astrola`bon; 'a`stron star + &?;, &?;, to take.] 1. (Astron.) An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.

Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.

2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere. Whewell.

As*trol"a*ter (&?;), n. A worshiper of the stars. Morley.

As*trol"a*try (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. &?; service, worship: cf. F. astrolâtrie.] The worship of the stars.

As`tro*li*thol"o*gy (&?;), n. [Astro- + lithology.] The science of aërolites.

As*trol"o*ger (&?;), n. [See Astrology.] 1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]

2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.

As`tro*lo"gi*an (&?;), n. [OF. astrologien.] An astrologer. [Obs.]

{ As`tro*log"ic (&?;), As`tro*log"ic*al (&?;), } a. [Gr. 'astrologiko`s.] Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. "Astrologic learning." Hudibras. "Astrological prognostication." Cudworth. -- As`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

As*trol"o*gize (&?;), v. t. & i. To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.

As*trol"o*gy (s*trl"*j), n. [F. astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. 'astrologi`a, fr. 'astrolo`gos astronomer, astrologer; 'asth`r star + lo`gos discourse, le`gein to speak. See Star.] In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.