constrict

Where does the word "constrict" come from? It comes from Latin constringere, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Constrict’s story begins in Latin: constringere meant “to bind together tightly.” To bind together tightly, from com- (together) and stringere (to draw tight). It reached English by 1600s as constrict. Settled as the English word for making something narrower by pressure. Today, constrict means to make something narrower, tighter, or more restricted by pressure.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient constringere "to bind together tightly", to bind together tightly, from com- (together) and stringere (to draw tight).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s constrict "to make something narrower or tighter by pressure", settled as the English word for making something narrower by pressure.