Retaining fecal matter in the bowels; having too slow a motion of the bowels; constipated.
2.
Reserved; formal; close; cold. (Obs.) "A costive brain.""Costive of laughter.""You must be frank, but without indiscretion; and close, but without being costive."
3.
Dry and hard; impermeable; unyielding. (Obs.) "Clay in dry seasons is costive, hardening with the sun and wind."
