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

Aperient medicine, too, is sometimes unwittingly repeated to remove those symptoms which it has itself produced.

From The Maternal Management of Children, in Health and Disease by Bull, Thomas

Lozenges also of the Alder Buckthorn are dispensed under the name of "Aperient Fruit Lozenges;" one, or perhaps two, being taken for a dose as required.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

Aperient medicines to a healthy child are so much poison!

From Advice to a Mother on the Management of Her Children by Chavasse, Pye Henry

It is because Tarrant's Effervescent Seltzer Aperient reduces the heat of the blood by creating perspiration, as well as through its purgative operation, that it produces such marvelous effect in ferbile diseases.

From The Nursery, No. 103, July, 1875. Vol. XVIII. A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers by Various

The mild, soothing and painless operation of Tarrant's Seltzer Aperient is exactly what is required, and will speedily cure the most chronic cases.

From The Nursery, No. 106, October, 1875. Vol. XVIII. A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers by Various