purgative
Americanadjective
noun
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of purgative
1350–1400; < Late Latin pūrgātīvus ( see purgation, -ive); replacing Middle English purgatyf < Middle French < Late Latin, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Purgatives were unavailing but after several days the capsule was located inside Mrs. Huey by Xray.
From Time Magazine Archive
Purgatives must never be given during this complaint.
From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.
Purgatives, on account of their debilitating effect, should not be given unless absolutely necessary, but laxatives and easily digested feeds should be given instead.
From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.
Purgatives should never be given when there is an irritable state of the bowels.
From Enquire Within Upon Everything The Great Victorian Domestic Standby by Anonymous
Purgatives and emetics—such as they had in their chests—were freely administered; and no doubt to these might be attributed the saving of their lives.
From The Young Yagers A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern Africa by Reid, Mayne
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
