diuretic

[ dahy-uh-ret-ik ]

/ ˌdaɪ əˈrɛt ɪk /

adjective

increasing the volume of the urine excreted, as by a medicinal substance.

noun

a diuretic medicine or agent.

Nearby words

ditty box, ditz, ditzy, diu, diuresis, diuretic, diuril, diurnal, diurnal arc, diurnal circle, diurnal motion

Origin of diuretic

1375–1425; Middle English d(i)uretik < Late Latin diūrēticus < Greek diourētikós, equivalent to di- di-³ + ourē- (verbid stem of oureîn to urinate) + -tikos -tic

Related formsdi·u·ret·i·cal·ly, adverbdi·u·ret·i·cal·ness, nounun·di·u·ret·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diuretic

Another issue is that alcohol is a diuretic and being dehydrated will certainly interfere with your speed and endurance.
Is Alcohol Killing Your Workout?|DailyBurn|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means incessant peeing, and an increased chance of dehydration.
Can You Prevent a Hangover?|Casey Schwartz|December 31, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The diuretic action is extremely feeble, and neither the plant nor asparagine is now used medicinally.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7|Various
The roots of asparagus were formerly used as an aperient medicine, and the fruits were likewise employed as a diuretic.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7|Various

Mussels, again, are moderately nutritious, and are digestible and diuretic.
The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athenus|Athenus
The leaves kept to the second year are weaker, and their diuretic qualities much diminished.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering
As a diuretic, Dr. Fowler, and others, have found it in some cases to be valuable.
A Disquisition on the Evils of Using Tobacco|Orin Fowler

British Dictionary definitions for diuretic

diuretic

/ (ˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk) /

adjective

acting to increase the flow of urine

noun

a drug or agent that increases the flow of urine

Derived Formsdiuretically, adverbdiureticalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for diuretic

diuretic

c.1400 (adjective and noun), from Old French diuretique, from Late Latin diureticus, from Greek diouretikos "prompting urine," from diourein "urinate," from dia "through" (see dia-) + ourein "urinate," from ouron (see urine).

Medicine definitions for diuretic

diuretic

[ dī′ə-rĕt′ĭk ]

adj.

Tending to increase the discharge of urine./del

n.

A substance or drug that tends to increase the discharge of urine.

Science definitions for diuretic

diuretic

[ dī′ə-rĕt′ĭk ]

A substance or drug that tends to increase the discharge of urine. Diuretics are used in the treatment of high blood pressure, edema, and other medical conditions.

Culture definitions for diuretic

diuretic

[ (deye-uh-ret-ik) ]

A substance that increases the rate of urine production.