Etymology
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constrictor (n.)

"that which constricts," 1735, originally "a muscle which draws parts together," agent noun in Latin form from constrict. Meaning "a large serpent which envelops and crushes its prey in its coils" is from 1790.

Entries linking to constrictor

constrict (v.)

1732, "to cause to draw together by external force or influence;" 1759, "to draw together at any point by force or action," a back-formation from constriction, or else from Latin constrictus, past participle of constringere "compress" (see constrain).

A direct borrowing from Latin of the same word which, via French, became constrain. Earlier in the same sense was constringe (c. 1600). Related: Constricted; constricting.

updated on March 15, 2018

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Dictionary entries near constrictor

constrain

constraint

constrict

constriction

constrictive

constrictor

constringent

construct

construction

constructionist

constructive

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