purgative

1 of 2

adjective

pur·ga·tive ˈpər-gə-tiv How to pronounce purgative (audio)

: purging or tending to purge

purgative

2 of 2

noun

: a purging medicine : cathartic

Did you know?

Purgative can be used as a noun as well as an adjective. For centuries, doctors prescribed purgatives—that is, laxatives—for all kinds of ailments, not knowing anything better to do. Physical cleansing has always reminded people of emotional and spiritual cleansing, as expressed in the saying "Cleanliness is next to godliness". So we may say, for example, that confession has a purgative effect on the soul. Some psychologists used to claim that expressing your anger is purgative; but in fact it may generally be no better for your emotional life than taking a laxative, and can sometimes really foul things up.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

By her mid-twenties, Hanawalt had moved to New York and turned her purgative art into a profession.

The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2021 It is believed that one of her purgative acts, on becoming Anna Kavan, was to destroy most of her letters and diaries.

Leo Robson, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2020 Taking out the trash is like administering a purgative to my house.

Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2019 Saline police chief Jerrod Hart said management got a tip from an employee who had been made aware of the brownies’ purgative properties, and after confiscating the offending baked goods, contacted the authorities.

Madeleine Aggeler, The Cut, 15 May 2018

Noun

Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?

Tom Nolan, WSJ, 11 June 2021 Blackshirts forced their opponents to drink castor oil and other purgatives, and then sent them home, wrenching with pain and covered in their own feces.

Michael Ebner, Slate Magazine, 30 Jan. 2017 The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality.

Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017 See More

单词	purgative
释义	purgative 1 of 2 adjective pur·ga·tive ˈpər-gə-tiv : purging or tending to purge purgative 2 of 2 noun : a purging medicine : cathartic Did you know? Purgative can be used as a noun as well as an adjective. For centuries, doctors prescribed purgatives—that is, laxatives—for all kinds of ailments, not knowing anything better to do. Physical cleansing has always reminded people of emotional and spiritual cleansing, as expressed in the saying "Cleanliness is next to godliness". So we may say, for example, that confession has a purgative effect on the soul. Some psychologists used to claim that expressing your anger is purgative; but in fact it may generally be no better for your emotional life than taking a laxative, and can sometimes really foul things up. Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Adjective By her mid-twenties, Hanawalt had moved to New York and turned her purgative art into a profession. The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2021 It is believed that one of her purgative acts, on becoming Anna Kavan, was to destroy most of her letters and diaries. Leo Robson, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2020 Taking out the trash is like administering a purgative to my house. Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2019 Saline police chief Jerrod Hart said management got a tip from an employee who had been made aware of the brownies’ purgative properties, and after confiscating the offending baked goods, contacted the authorities. Madeleine Aggeler, The Cut, 15 May 2018 Noun Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian? Tom Nolan, WSJ, 11 June 2021 Blackshirts forced their opponents to drink castor oil and other purgatives, and then sent them home, wrenching with pain and covered in their own feces. Michael Ebner, Slate Magazine, 30 Jan. 2017 The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality. Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English purgatif, from Late Latin purgativus, from Latin purgatus, past participle First Known Use Adjective 15th century, in the meaning defined above Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined above Medical Definition purgative 1 of 2 adjective pur·ga·tive ˈpər-gət-iv : purging or tending to purge : cathartic purgative 2 of 2 noun : a purging medicine : cathartic purgative noun as in drug a substance used to induce or speed up the process of defecation In the past, purgatives were sometimes administered in cases of accidental poisoning. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance drug remedy cathartic medicinal medicine medication physic pharmaceutical medicament pill tonic panacea tablet nostrum cure botanical prescription cure-all prescription drug specific cordial potion tincture patent medicine antiseptic antibiotic syrup miracle drug wonder drug sirup serum capsule cap
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purgative

adjective

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

Medical Definition

adjective

noun

noun