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laxative

 - 6 dictionary results

lax⋅a⋅tive

[lak-suh-tiv]
–noun
1. a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.
–adjective
2. of, pertaining to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
3. Archaic.
a. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.
b. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME laxatif (< MF) < ML laxātīvus loosening (see laxation, -ive )


lax⋅a⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
lax⋅a⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lax·a·tive   (lāk'sə-tĭv)   
n.  A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.
adj.  
  1. Stimulating evacuation of the bowels.

  2. Causing looseness or relaxation, especially of the bowels.


[Middle English, from Old French laxatif, from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, preventing constipation, from Late Latin, assuaging, from Latin laxātus, past participle of laxāre, to relax, from laxus, loose; see lax.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

laxative  (adj.)
1398, from O.Fr. laxatif, from M.L. laxativus, from L. laxatus, pp. of laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose, lax" (see lax). The noun meaning "a laxative medicine" is from c.1386.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1lax·a·tive
Pronunciation: 'lak-s&t-iv
Function: adjective
1 : having a tendency to loosen or relax;specifically : relieving constipation
2 : LAX 2lax·a·tive·ly adverb

Main Entry: 2laxative
Function: noun
: a usually mild laxative drug
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

laxative lax·a·tive (lāk'sə-tĭv)
n.
A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. adj.
Stimulating evacuation of the bowels.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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