laxative

[ lak-suh-tiv ]

noun

1. a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
2. Archaic.
   1. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.
   2. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

laxative

/ ˈlæksətɪv /

noun

1. an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

adjective

1. stimulating evacuation of faeces

Other Words From

• laxa·tive·ly adverb
• laxa·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

1350–1400; Middle English laxatif (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin laxātīvus loosening ( laxation, -ive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

C14 (originally: relaxing): from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, from Latin laxāre to loosen

Example Sentences

Escolar is sometimes called the "laxative of the sea" for the effects its fatty acids can have on digestion.

From Salon

He quickly noticed the laxative effect for which Epsom salts would become world-famous, drawing hordes of stopped-up tourists to the town for decades to come.

From Los Angeles Times

Tracy Menhinick, 52, gave the boy "industrial" amounts of the laxative lactulose, which resulted in his growth being stunted and led to his hospitalisation.

From BBC

He quickly noticed the laxative effect for which Epsom salts would become world-famous, drawing hordes of stopped-up tourists to the town for decades to come.

From Los Angeles Times

These so-called bulk sweeteners, such as sorbitol and mannitol, can have a laxative effect, so they aren't great options.

From Salon