costiveness

== English == === Etymology === From costive + -ness. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkɒstɪvnəs/ === Noun === costiveness (uncountable) The state or quality of being costive; constipation. January 1822, Richard Reece [editor] "Letters of a Royal Physician, on Indigestion &c. &c.", in The Monthly Gazette of Health Volume 7 The new cases prove that in habitual costiveness or inactivity of the bowels, galvanism is a more valuable remedy, and that its effects are permanent . (obsolete) Inability to express oneself; stiffness.