laxative

[lak-suh-tiv]

noun

1. a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.

2. Archaic.

   1. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.

   2. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

laxative

/ ˈlæksətɪv /

noun

1. an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

adjective

1. stimulating evacuation of faeces

Other Word Forms

• laxatively adverb
• laxativeness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

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

Example Sentences

The crucial mineral is magnesium, which has a laxative effect.

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Ivan now has a care package so his constipation can be managed at home with laxatives and daily bowel wash outs.

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"Sometimes we also put a laxative in alcohol and baked goods for the Russian soldiers, as a 'welcome pack'," she says.

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Ms Nicklas, who works in north Wales, said before her surgery she was "taking laxatives like they were smarties" but "still struggling to go to the toilet".

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A police search found 96 ibuprofen tablets, laxatives, a feeding syringe and a pill crusher.

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