Aperient

Pronunciation varies by accent · adjective

Meaning

(medicine) Having a gentle laxative effect..

Definitions by Sense

1. (medicine) Having a gentle laxative effect.
2. Serving to open or reveal.
3. (medicine) 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.

Example Sentences

[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 believer in) […]

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?

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.

Synonyms for aperient

Antonyms for aperient

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Word Forms

• aperients

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