1. substances that stop bleeding by contracting blood vessels or tissues
Usage: medical; plural form

Examples

• The doctor applied styptics to control the patient’s bleeding.
• Alum and silver nitrate are common styptics used in medical procedures.
• The veterinarian kept various styptics in the emergency kit.
• Traditional styptics include witch hazel and certain plant extracts.
• Modern styptics work by causing blood vessels to constrict rapidly.
• The pharmacy stocks several over-the-counter styptics for minor cuts.