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

See Examples For:

aperient

Given in doses of half an ounce of the powdered bark, it acts as an aperient, and is good wherever an aperient is indicated.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd

I have generally given it in lemonade in such amounts as to secure a gentle aperient and diuretic effect.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

A mild tonic, as well as an aperient, is plainly indicated soon after the commencement of rot.

From Sheep, Swine, and Poultry Embracing the History and Varieties of Each; The Best Modes of Breeding; Their Feeding and Management; Together with etc. by Robert Jennings

It is much safer than any known cathartic, and, given in doses of two drachms, in hot water, combined with a small quantity of ginger, it forms a useful aperient and alterative.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd

Used as an aperient for sheep, in constipation.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd