constipate

[kon-stuh-peyt]

verb (used with object)

constipated, constipating 

1. to cause constipation in; make costive.

2. 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.

3. Obsolete.,  to crowd or pack closely together.

constipate

/ ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to cause constipation in

Other Word Forms

• constipated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constipate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English past participle constipat, from Latin constīpātus, past participle of constīpāre, equivalent to con- intensive prefix + Latin stīpāre “to crowd, press”); con-, stiff

Word History and Origins

Origin of constipate¹

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

Example Sentences

Here are some of the ways to prevent a child from becoming constipated:

From BBC

“It taught you to be a lot less constipated about having a bad idea or being made fun of,” he said of his time at Esquire.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Perea was 29 when she first visited her GP after feeling constipated and bloated.

From BBC

The tycoon, played with constipated entitlement by Guy Pearce, has the pastiche name Harrison Lee Van Buren.

From Los Angeles Times

Funnily enough, though, his “Napoleon” might have actually benefited from a bit more fuss, a lot more political-historical insight and a less constipated visual style.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curb 
• muzzle 
• repress 
• silence 
• smother 
• squelch 
• strangle 
• suffocate 
• suppress