Restringere

Re stingere is a Latin verb meaning to draw back or bind back, and by extension to restrain, confine, or restrict. It can denote both physical tightening and figurative limitation, such as restraining liberty, authority, or actions. The sense often emphasizes a return to a previous, tighter state or a curbing of excess.

Etymology and principal parts: The word is formed with the prefix re- meaning back or again, combined with stringo, to draw tight. The standard principal parts are restringo, restringere, restrinxi, restrictum. It is a third-conjugation verb, used actively and transitively, with the usual Latin verb-system inflections. A common passive infinitive form is restringi, and the perfect passive participle is restrictus or restringtus in some usages.

Usage and meanings: In classical Latin, restringere covers both physical tightening (for example, tightening straps or bands) and figurative restriction (limiting privileges, rights, or measures). Common translations include to restrain, to confine, to curb, or to restrict. The verb often appears with direct objects in the accusative, such as libertatem restringere “to restrain liberty” or leges restringere “to restrict laws.”

Relation to related terms: Restringere is closely related to constringere, a related verb meaning to bind together or confine more tightly. The prefix re- and the semantic field of limitation connect restringere to a family of Latin verbs that express restriction or tightening. Modern Romance languages inherit cognates: Italian restringere, Spanish restringir, Portuguese restringir, and French restreindre, all sharing the core idea of narrowing or limiting.

See also: restrict, restraint, restriction; constringere; restreindre (French).

Note: English and Romance-language derivatives trace the Latin meaning of drawing back or narrowing to express limitation in various domains, from physical tightening to legal or social constraints.