Wordnet 3.0
ADJECTIVE (1)
1.
retarding evacuation of feces;
binding;
constipating;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Costive \Cos"tive\ (k?s"t?v), a. [OF. costev['e], 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Reserved; formal; close; cold. [Obs.] "A costive brain."
--Prior. "Costive of laughter." --B. Jonson.
[1913 Webster]
You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and
close, but without being costive. --Lord
Chesterfield.
[1913 Webster]
3. Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the
sun and wind. --Mortimer.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
costive
adj 1: retarding evacuation of feces; binding; constipating
[ant: laxative]