Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AD-STRIC'TION, n. [L. adstrictio, astrictio, of ad and stringo, to strain or bind fast. See Strict.]

A binding fast. Among physicians, the rigidity of a part of the body, occasioning a retention of usual evacuations; costiveness; a closeness of the emunctories; also the styptic effects of medicines. – Encyc. Quincy.