To squeeze, tighten, or compress something so that it becomes narrower; to limit or restrict.
From Latin constrictus, past participle of constringere meaning 'to bind together' or 'draw tight.' The word kept its physical sense of tightening.
Anaconda snakes constrict their prey by wrapping around them and squeezing tighter with each breath—it's such an effective hunting strategy that the word itself conjures fear and inevitability.
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