aperient

American  

[uh-peer-ee-uhnt] / əˈpɪər i ənt /

adjective

1. having a mild purgative or laxative effect.

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noun

1. a medicine or food that acts as a mild laxative.

aperient British  

/ əˈpɪərɪənt /

adjective

1. laxative

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noun

1. a mild laxative

Etymology

Origin of aperient

1620–30; < Latin aperient- (stem of aperiēns opening, present participle of aperīre to open), equivalent to aperi- (apparently ap- , variant of ab- ab- + -eri- ) + -ent- -ent; the base -eri-, perhaps with an earlier shape *wery- or *twery-, occurs only in this verb and operīre to close ( cover, operculum )

Example Sentences

No time should be lost: the aperient must be given immediately; warm injections must be thrown into the rectum, and the teats must be industriously drawn, to solicit the secretion of milk.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

This medicine is rather constipating; a slight aperient, if only a dose of Carlsbad salts before breakfast or a seidlitz powder, may be taken to counteract it in this respect.

From Boating by Woodgate, W. B.

He always said he knew nothing that cheered him up so, and was such a good aperient, as brush and comb.

From Titan: A Romance v. 1 (of 2) by Richter, Jean Paul Friedrich

Used as an aperient for sheep, in constipation.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

By the aid of one or more of the following drinks, the aperient will generally operate:— Give a bountiful supply of hyssop tea, sweetened with honey.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George