ecbolic

[ ek-bol-ik ]

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. promoting labor by increasing uterine contractions.

noun

1. Pharmacology. an ecbolic drug.

ecbolic

/ ɛkˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

1. hastening labour or abortion

noun

1. a drug or agent that hastens labour or abortion

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecbolic¹

1745–55; < Greek ekbol ( ḗ ) expulsion (equivalent to ek- ec- + -bolē a throwing) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecbolic¹

C18: from Greek ekbolē a throwing out, from ekballein to throw out, from ballein to throw

Example Sentences

A medicine may be an emmenagogue without being an ecbolic.

From Project Gutenberg

Nelson, in his study of dreams and their relation to seasonal ecbolic manifestations, does not present any yearly ecbolic curve, as the two years and a half over which his observations extend scarcely supply a sufficient basis.

From Project Gutenberg

When summated in a somewhat similar manner to that adopted by Nelson in his ecbolic observations, it is not difficult to regard the maximum, which is reached on the 19th to 21st days of the summated physiological month, as a real menstrual ecbolic climax, for no other three consecutive days at all approach these in number of ecboles, while there is a marked depression occurring four days earlier, on the 16th day of the month.

From Project Gutenberg

May not the ecbolic period in men be compared to the menstrual period in women, and be an example of the greater katabolic activity of men?

From Project Gutenberg

In the light of the evidence which has thus accumulated, we may conclude that the existence of an annual ecbolic curve, with its spring and autumn climaxes, as described in the first edition of this book, is now definitely established.

From Project Gutenberg