purgative

[pur-guh-tiv] /ˈpɜr gə tɪv/
adjective
1.
purging or cleansing, especially by causing evacuation of the bowels.
noun
2.
a purgative medicine or agent; cathartic.
Origin
1350-1400; < Late Latin pūrgātīvus (see purgation, -ive); replacing Middle English purgatyf < Middle French < Late Latin, as above
Related forms
purgatively, adverb
nonpurgative, adjective
nonpurgatively, adverb
unpurgative, adjective
unpurgatively, adverb
Examples from the web for purgative
  • Their prescription is not a sugar-coated elixir but a purgative tonic.
British Dictionary definitions for purgative

purgative

/ˈpɜːɡətɪv/
noun
1.
a drug or agent for purging the bowels
adjective
2.
causing evacuation of the bowels; cathartic
Derived Forms
purgatively, adverb
Word Origin and History for purgative
adj.

late 14c., from Old French purgatif (14c.) and directly from Late Latin purgativus, from purgat-, past participle stem of Latin purgare (see purge (v.)). The noun is attested from early 15c. (Old English medical texts have clænsungdrenc).

purgative in Medicine

purgative pur·ga·tive (pûr'gə-tĭv)
n.
An agent used for purging the bowels. adj.
Tending to cause evacuation of the bowels.

pur'ga·tive adj.