| 释义 |
alterative, a. and n.|ˈɔːltərətɪv|
[f. late L. alterāt- ppl. stem of alterāre to alter, as if ad. L. *alterātīvus prob. used in med. or mod.L. Cf. Fr. altératif, -ive.]
A. adj.
1. Having the tendency to produce alteration; esp. applied to medicines which alter the processes of nutrition, and reduce them to healthy action.
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. x. §5 (1873) 138 Cannot be removed by medicine alterative. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iv. i. ii, Simples are alterative or purgative. 1775Johnson in Boswell xlix. (1847) 451 My opinion of alterative medicine is not high, but quid tentasse nocebit? 1855Garrod Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 23 Iodine has a powerful alterative action.
†2. passively, Liable to be changed. Obs.
1656Blount Glossogr., Alterative, changed, or that may be changed.
B. n. An alterative medicine or treatment.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. vii. xxi. (1495) 239 The cure is with hote alteratiues. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iv. i. i, Of alteratiues and Cordials, no man doubts. 1720Gibson Dispens. App. i. i. (1734) 47 Alteratives..have a power of changing the Constitution, without any sensible increase or decrease of the natural evacuations. 1807Crabbe Libr. 59 Here alt'ratives, by slow degrees controul The chronic habits of the sickly soul. 18..H. S. Wilson Alpine Asc. ii. 29 Alterative and excitement are best got in Switzerland. |