constrict

/kən-ˈstrikt/

Latin constrictus, past participle of constringere seeconstrain

verb

  1. to make narrow or draw together

  2. compress, squeeze

  3. to stultify, stop, or cause to falter : inhibit

Smoking constricts blood vessels.

constrict a nerve

contract shrink condense compress constrict deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume. contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length. shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.