hydragogue

American  

[hahy-druh-gawg, -gog] / ˈhaɪ drəˌgɔg, -ˌgɒg /

adjective

1. causing the discharge of watery fluid, as from the bowels.

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noun

1. Pharmacology. Also hydragog a hydragogue agent.

hydragogue British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəˌɡɒɡ /

noun

1. med any purgative that causes evacuation of water from the bowels

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Etymology

Origin of hydragogue

1630–40; < Latin hydragōgus < Greek hydragōgós water-conveying, equivalent to hydr- hydr- ¹ + agōgós leading, guiding ( -agogue )

Example Sentences

These five pills given at once form an excellent hydragogue cathartic to clear the chest, relieve breathing and diminish the dropsical effusion.

From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Young, Daniel

When it is caused by the heart or kidneys, give cathartics that carry away much liquid, hydragogue cathartics.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

It is the most active hydragogue purgative known, causing also much depression and violent griping.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various

Uses.—The root is a hydragogue cathartic even in minute doses.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers

Uses.—The part employed is the fruit pulp, official in all the pharmacopœias as a very energetic hydragogue cathartic.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers