laxative

[ lak-suh-tiv ]
/ ˈlæk sə tɪv /

noun

a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
Archaic.
  1. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.
  2. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

Origin of laxative

1350–1400; Middle English laxatif (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin laxātīvus loosening (see laxation, -ive)

OTHER WORDS FROM laxative

lax·a·tive·ly, adverb lax·a·tive·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for laxative

British Dictionary definitions for laxative

laxative
/ (ˈlæksətɪv) /

noun

an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

adjective

stimulating evacuation of faeces

Word Origin for laxative

C14 (originally: relaxing): from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, from Latin laxāre to loosen

Medical definitions for laxative

laxative
[ lăksə-tĭv ]

n.

A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.

adj.

Stimulating evacuation of the bowels.