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costive

Syllabification: (cos·tive)
Pronunciation: /ˈkästiv, ˈkôstiv/
Definition of costive

adjective

  • constipated.
  • slow or reluctant in speech or action; unforthcoming:if he did ask her she would become costive

Derivatives

costively

adverb

costiveness

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from Latin constipatus 'pressed together' (see constipated)

costive in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of costive in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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