aperient

adj

Etymology

Attested since the early 17th century, from Latin aperiens, present participle of aperire (“to open”).

  1. derived from aperiens

Definitions

  1. Having a gentle laxative effect.

    • [T]ouching the much vexed question of stimulants he relished a glass of choice old wine in season as both nourishing and bloodmaking and possessing aperient virtues (notably a good burgundy which he was a staunch believer in) […]
  2. Serving to open or reveal.

    • Is it really more knowledge we want, or more understanding? Are we in fact clavigerous and fail to realize the aperient properties of that which is in our hand?
  3. A laxative, either in the form of a medicine or a food such as asparagus or hops, which…

    A laxative, either in the form of a medicine or a food such as asparagus or hops, which has the effect of moving the bowels, or aiding digestion and preventing constipation.

    • In its fresh vegetable state, chicory, or succory—the Cichorium Intybus of botanists, is said to be a good tonic, and to have the effect of an aperient.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for aperient. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA