laxative

[ lak-suh-tiv ]

noun

1. a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
2. Archaic.
   1. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.
   2. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

laxative

/ ˈlæksətɪv /

noun

1. an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

adjective

1. stimulating evacuation of faeces

Other Words From

• laxa·tive·ly adverb
• laxa·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

1350–1400; Middle English laxatif (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin laxātīvus loosening ( laxation, -ive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

C14 (originally: relaxing): from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, from Latin laxāre to loosen

Example Sentences

Other red flags include the promotion of diuretics, laxatives, appetite suppressants, or diets that cut out entire food groups or promote miracle foods.

From Popular-Science

I started abusing laxatives, I started not eating, I started throwing up — I started doing everything I could think of to do to be as skinny as I could possibly be, being obsessive about my weight loss.

From Essence.com

It is, however, found in common, over-the-counter products like laxatives.

From The Daily Beast

The drink was also like a fizzy laxative that was hot, because there was no ice.

From Washington Blade

The only safe thing to drink is Kieselavoda, which is a mild laxative.

From The Daily Beast

And around 1817, Randel, who seemed to be having liver trouble, received large doses of mercury as a laxative.

From The Daily Beast

Bruni candidly writes of his weight struggles, which included bulimia, laxative abuse, and junk-food binges.

From The Daily Beast

The opening of the bowels may be followed with a pint of linseed oil, as an additional and gentle laxative.

From Project Gutenberg

It has been observed that when Medicinal Iridium acts as a laxative, it will regulate the same.

From Project Gutenberg

These, from their laxative effects, will serve as antidotes to the dry sapless grasses, which have led to the disease.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever outward means may be employed, laxative medicines ought never to be neglected.

From Project Gutenberg

They are also valuable in the diet because of their slightly laxative effect.

From Project Gutenberg