laxative

(lak′sə tiv)

adjective

tending to make lax; specif., making the bowels loose and relieving constipation

Origin: ME laxatif < OFr < ML laxativus < LL, mitigating < pp. of L laxare, to relax, slacken < laxus: see lax

noun

any laxative medicine; mild cathartic

See laxative in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.

adjective

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French laxatif

Origin: , from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, preventing constipation

Origin: , from Late Latin, assuaging

Origin: , from Latin laxātus

Origin: , past participle of laxāre, to relax

Origin: , from laxus, loose; see lax

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laxative synonyms

laxative medical definition

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