Cos″tive (k?s″t?v), a. [OF. costevé, 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. “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.
Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the sun and wind.
Mortimer.