constriction

constriction
    n 1: a narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel [syn:
         {constriction}, {bottleneck}, {chokepoint}]
    2: tight or narrow compression [syn: {constriction},
       {coarctation}]
    3: a tight feeling in some part of the body; "he felt a
       constriction in her chest"; "she felt an alarming tightness
       in her chest"; "emotion caused a constriction of his throat"
       [syn: {constriction}, {tightness}]
    4: the action or process of compressing
    

Constriction \Con*stric"tion\, n. [L. constrictio: cf. F.
   constriction.]
   1. The act of constricting by means of some inherent power or
      by movement or change in the thing itself, as
      distinguished from compression.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The state of being constricted; the point where a thing is
      constricted; a narrowing or binding.
      [1913 Webster]

            A constriction of the parts inservient to speech.
                                                  --Grew.
      [1913 Webster]
    

82 Moby Thesaurus words for "constriction":
      abbreviation, arrest, arrestation, arrestment, astriction,
      astringency, blockage, blocking, bottleneck, cervix, check,
      circumscription, clogging, closing up, closure, coarctation,
      compactedness, compaction, compression, compressure, concentration,
      condensation, consolidation, constringency, contraction,
      contracture, cramp, curtailment, decrease, delay, detainment,
      detention, diminuendo, fixation, foot-dragging, hampering,
      hindering, hindrance, holdback, holdup, hourglass,
      hourglass figure, impediment, inhibition, interference,
      interruption, isthmus, knitting, let, narrow place, narrowing,
      neck, negativism, nuisance value, obstruction, obstructionism,
      occlusion, opposition, puckering, pursing, reduction, repression,
      resistance, restraint, restriction, retardation, retardment,
      setback, shortening, solidification, squeeze, stranglehold,
      stranglement, strangulation, striction, stricture, suppression,
      systole, taper, tapering, wasp waist, wrinkling