alterative

Causing alteration.

Adjective

  1. Causing alteration.

    1. (medicine) Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state into a healthy one.

Origin

From Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.

Forms

more alterative most alterative

Noun

  1. A medicine or treatment which works by changing processes within the body, rather than by evacuating something etc.
    • Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives I do not find a more present remedy than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used. - 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The...

Forms

alteratives