aperient
Having a gentle laxative effect.
Adjective
- Having a gentle laxative effect.
- [T]ouching the much vexed question of stimulants he relished a glass of choice old wine in season as both nourishing and bloodmaking and possessing aperient virtues (notably a good burgundy which he was a staunch...
- Serving to open or reveal.
- Is it really more knowledge we want, or more understanding? Are we in fact clavigerous and fail to realize the aperient properties of that which is in our hand? - 1927, Psyche - Volume 7, page 2:
Origin
Attested since the early 17th century, from Latin aperiens, present participle of aperire (“to open”).
Noun
- A laxative, either in the form of a medicine or a food such as asparagus or hops, which has the effect of moving the bowels, or aiding digestion and preventing constipation.
- In its fresh vegetable state, chicory, or succory—the Cichorium Intybus of botanists, is said to be a good tonic, and to have the effect of an aperient. - 1849 April 7, “The Outcry about Chicory”, in William, Robert...