aperient

  • 1Aperient — A*pe ri*ent, a. [L. aperiens, p. pr. of aperire to uncover, open; ab + parire, parere, to bring forth, produce. Cf. {Cover}, {Overt}.] (Med.) Gently opening the bowels; laxative. n. An aperient medicine or food. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2aperient — [ə pir′ē ənt] adj., n. [L aperiens, prp. of aperire: see APERTURE] laxative SYN. PHYSIC …

    English World dictionary

  • 3aperient — adjective Etymology: Latin aperient , aperiens, present participle of aperire Date: 1626 gently moving the bowels ; laxative • aperient noun …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 4aperient — ape·ri·ent ə pir ē ənt adj gently causing the bowels to move: LAXATIVE aperient n an aperient agent * * * n. a mild laxative. * * * ape·ri·ent (ə pērґe ənt) [L. aperiens opening] laxative …

    Medical dictionary

  • 5aperient — /euh pear ee euhnt/, Med. adj. 1. having a mild purgative or laxative effect. n. 2. a medicine or food that acts as a mild laxative. Also called aperitive. [1620 30; < L aperient (s. of aperiens opening, prp. of aperire to open), equiv. to aperi&#8230; …

    Universalium

  • 6aperient — a•per•i•ent [[t]əˈpɪər i ənt[/t]] adj. 1) med having a mild purgative or laxative effect 2) pha a substance that acts as a mild laxative • Etymology: 1620–30; &LT; L aperient , s. of aperiēns, prp. of aperīre to open …

    From formal English to slang

  • 7aperient — adj. & n. adj. laxative. n. a laxative medicine. Etymology: L aperire aperient to open …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 8aperient Medicine — [ə pɪərɪənt] adjective used to relieve constipation. noun an aperient drug. Origin C17: from L. aperient , aperire to open …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 9aperient — 1. adjective having a gentle laxative effect. See Also: aperture 2. noun a laxative, either in the form of a medicine or a food such as hops or asparagus, which has the effect of moving the bowels, or aiding digestion and preventing …

    Wiktionary

  • 10Aperient — A mild laxative. Argemone, Clitoria, Hibiscus, Sesamum, Sesbania, Tamarindus …

    EthnoBotanical Dictionary