diuretic

American  

[dahy-uh-ret-ik] / ˌdaɪ əˈrɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. increasing the volume of the urine excreted, as by a medicinal substance.

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noun

1. a diuretic medicine or agent.

diuretic British  

/ ˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk /

adjective

1. acting to increase the flow of urine

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noun

1. a drug or agent that increases the flow of urine

diuretic Scientific  

/ dī′ə-rĕt′ĭk /

1. A substance or drug that tends to increase the discharge of urine. Diuretics are used in the treatment of high blood pressure, edema, and other medical conditions.

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diuretic Cultural  

1. A substance that increases the rate of urine production.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undiuretic
  adjective
• diureticalness
  noun
• diuretically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of diuretic

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English d(i)uretik, from Late Latin diūrēticus, from Greek diourētikós, from di- di- ³ + ourē- (verb stem of oureîn “to urinate”; cf. uro- ¹ ( def. )) + -tikos -tic

Explanation

A diuretic is anything — food, drink, or medicine — that increases the flow of urine. In other words, it makes you pee. Usually, going "number one" is no big deal, but sometimes people have trouble going. That's where diuretics come in: they make you urinate more. A common reason to take diuretics would be a problem with your kidneys. Taking a diuretic can be very important in getting excess water and also toxins out of your body. Coffee and alcohol aren't usually recommended by doctors, but they're also diuretics since they tend to make you urinate.

Example Sentences

I'd have worn wellies though, because the Stones weren't just the World's Greatest Rock'n'roll Band, they were also the World's Greatest Diuretic.

From The Guardian • Nov. 18, 2012

Nettles, Urtica; Hot, dry, Diuretic, Solvent; purifies the Blood: The Buds, and very tender Cimae, a little bruiſed, are by ſome eaten raw, by others boil'd, eſpecially in Spring-Pottage, with other Herbs.

From Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets by Evelyn, John

Diuretic, febrifuge, and refrigerant; one half to one ounce.

From Cattle and Their Diseases Embracing Their History and Breeds, Crossing and Breeding, And Feeding and Management; With the Diseases to which They are Subject, And The Remedies Best Adapted to their Cure by Jennings, Robert

Diuretic, dī-ū-ret′ik, adj. promoting the discharge of urine.—n. a medicine causing this discharge.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various