purgative

[ pur-guh-tiv ]
/ ˈpɜr gə tɪv /

adjective

purging or cleansing, especially by causing evacuation of the bowels.

noun

a purgative medicine or agent; cathartic.

Origin of purgative

1350–1400; < Late Latin pūrgātīvus (see purgation, -ive); replacing Middle English purgatyf < Middle French < Late Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM purgative

Example sentences from the Web for purgative

British Dictionary definitions for purgative

purgative
/ (ˈpɜːɡətɪv) med /

noun

a drug or agent for purging the bowels

adjective

causing evacuation of the bowels; cathartic

Derived forms of purgative

purgatively, adverb

Medical definitions for purgative

purgative
[ pûrgə-tĭv ]

n.

An agent used for purging the bowels.

adj.

Tending to cause evacuation of the bowels.

Other words from purgative

purga•tive adj.