purgative

[ pur-guh-tiv ]

adjective

1. purging or cleansing, especially by causing evacuation of the bowels.

noun

1. a purgative medicine or agent; cathartic.

purgative

/ ˈpɜːɡətɪv /

noun

1. a drug or agent for purging the bowels

adjective

1. causing evacuation of the bowels; cathartic

Derived Forms

• ˈpurgatively, adverb

Other Words From

• purga·tive·ly adverb
• non·purga·tive adjective
• non·purga·tive·ly adverb
• un·purga·tive adjective
• un·purga·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purgative¹

1350–1400; < Late Latin pūrgātīvus ( purgation, -ive ); replacing Middle English purgatyf < Middle French < Late Latin, as above

Example Sentences

That makes the playing of a football game not purgative but grotesque in the current context.

From The Daily Beast

The first milk of the cow after calving, is slightly purgative, which is essential to cleanse the stomach of the calf.

From Project Gutenberg

It occurs in several recipes of the Anglo-Saxon Leechdoms, as a strong and bitter purgative.

From Project Gutenberg

Aloes is more frequently taken than, perhaps, any known purgative.

From Project Gutenberg

It is needless to give a purgative without bleeding, as, till this is done, it will not operate.

From Project Gutenberg

Abster′gent, serving to cleanse; Abster′sive, having the quality of cleansing: purgative.

From Project Gutenberg