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CONSTRICTION
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The action or process of compressing
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("constriction" is a kind of...):
compressing; compression (applying pressure)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constriction"):
spasm ((pathology) sudden constriction of a hollow organ (as a blood vessel))
squeeze (the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space)
strangulation ((pathology) constriction of a body part so as to cut off the flow of blood or other fluid)
vasoconstriction (decrease in the diameter of blood vessels)
Derivation:
constrict (squeeze or press together)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A tight feeling in some part of the body
Example:
emotion caused a constriction of his throat
Synonyms:
constriction; tightness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("constriction" is a kind of...):
feeling (a physical sensation that you experience)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Tight or narrow compression
Synonyms:
coarctation; constriction
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("constriction" is a kind of...):
compression; condensation; contraction (the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together)
Derivation:
constrict (become tight or as if tight)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel
Synonyms:
bottleneck; chokepoint; constriction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes
Hypernyms ("constriction" is a kind of...):
narrowing (an instance of becoming narrow)
Derivation:
constrict (become tight or as if tight)
Context examples:
Allergies can be life-threatening when they cause anaphylaxis, an extreme reaction with constriction of the airways and a sudden drop in blood pressure.
(Scientists discover immune cell subtype in mice that drives allergic reactions, National Institutes of Health)
Activation of this system increases blood vessel constriction, which can contribute to arterial stiffness.
(High Doses of Vitamin D Rapidly Reduce Arterial Stiffness, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
Scientists believe air pollution may cause glaucoma due to the constriction of blood vessels killing off the retina cells or by chemicals being directly toxic to nerves.
(Air Pollution Can Trigger Glaucoma, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
In addition, penbutolol prevents the release of renin, a hormone secreted by the kidneys that causes constriction of blood vessels.
(Penbutolol, NCI Thesaurus)
Subsequent lack of activation of guanylyl cyclase through nitric oxide results in decreased cyclic GMP levels, thereby inhibiting smooth muscle constriction of various tissues, decreasing capillary permeability and decreasing other histamine-activated allergic reactions.
(Phenyltoloxamine, NCI Thesaurus)
It may result in the formation of constriction rings around the digits and upper and lower extremities, swelling of the extremities and congenital amputations.
(Amniotic Band Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)
Subsequent lack of activation of guanylyl cyclase through nitric oxide results in decreased cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels, thereby inhibiting constriction of smooth muscle tissue, and decreased capillary permeability and histamine-activated allergic reactions.
(Pheniramine Maleate, NCI Thesaurus)
In addition, bisoprolol prevents the release of renin, a hormone secreted by the kidneys that causes constriction of blood vessels.
(Penbutolol Sulfate, NCI Thesaurus)
Methylcellulose is not absorbed by the intestines and attracts large amounts of water into the colon, thereby increasing viscosity, producing a softer and bulkier stool and stimulating the constriction of intestinal smooth muscles.
(Methylcellulose, NCI Thesaurus)
A finding indicating the quick and brisk constriction of the pupils in response to light.
(Normal Pupillary Response, NCI Thesaurus)
