purgative

[ pur-guh-tiv ]

adjective

1. purging or cleansing, especially by causing evacuation of the bowels.

noun

1. a purgative medicine or agent; cathartic.

purgative

/ ˈpɜːɡətɪv /

noun

1. a drug or agent for purging the bowels

adjective

1. causing evacuation of the bowels; cathartic

Derived Forms

• ˈpurgatively, adverb

Other Words From

• purga·tive·ly adverb
• non·purga·tive adjective
• non·purga·tive·ly adverb
• un·purga·tive adjective
• un·purga·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purgative¹

1350–1400; < Late Latin pūrgātīvus ( purgation, -ive ); replacing Middle English purgatyf < Middle French < Late Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Theater makes much of the element of catharsis, but rarely is a show purgative all the way through, as the choreopoem “Queens of Sheba” is.

From New York Times

He has declared that the "liberation of women" is an "infection" that requires "the most terrible convulsions and the most thorough purgative measures."

From Salon

At times wild and purgative, the album is also full of moments like this one: poised, stubbornly hopeful, grounded in Lake’s memories of a more revolutionary age and seeking to stir that energy up again.

From New York Times

The most thrilling set piece features a purgative ritual that Cervera executes with a dance choreographer’s sense of movement and a gothic artist’s eye for composition.

From New York Times

The work took on an industrial, purgative edge.

From New York Times