constipate

[kon-stuh-peyt] /ˈkɒn stəˌpeɪt/
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.
Origin
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
Related forms
unconstipated, adjective
Examples from the web for constipate
  • Iron tablets are not easily absorbed and will constipate you.
  • Their secondary effect is to keep the bowels open and regular, not to further constipate, as is the case with other pills.
British Dictionary definitions for constipate

constipate

/ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪt/
verb
1.
(transitive) to cause constipation in
Word Origin
C16: from Latin constīpāre to press closely together, from stīpāre to crowd together
Word Origin and History for constipate
v.

1530s, in part a back-formation from constipation, in part from Latin constipatus, past participle of constipare (see constipation). Earlier as an adjective (early 15c.); an earlier verb in this sense was constipen (late 14c.). Related: Constipated; constipating.

constipate in Medicine

constipate con·sti·pate (kŏn'stə-pāt')
v. con·sti·pat·ed, con·sti·pat·ing, con·sti·pates
To cause constipation in the bowels.