Cos"tive (k?s"t?v), a. [OF. costev, p. p. of costever, F. constiper, L. constipare to press closely together, to cram; con- + stipare to press together, cram. See Stipulate, Stiff, and cf. Constipate.]
1.
Retaining fecal matter in the bowels; having too slow a motion of the bowels; constipated.
2.
Reserved; formal; close; cold.
[Obs.] "A
costive brain."
Prior. "
Costive of laughter."
B. Jonson.
You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and close, but without being costive.
Lord Chesterfield.
3.
Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding.
[Obs.]
Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the sun and wind.
Mortimer.
© Webster 1913.