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 ( see cover, operculum)

Example Sentences

The above aperient may then be ventured on with safety.

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

The aperient action, which it exerts less markedly than other members of its class, renders it useful in the treatment of chronic constipation.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

Lax′ative, having the power of loosening the bowels.—n. a purgative or aperient medicine.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Gymnocladus, jim-nok′lad-us, n. a genus of North American trees, the pods slightly aperient.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various