- cathartic
- cathartic (adj.) 1610s, of medicines, from L. catharticus, from Gk. kathartikos "fit for cleansing, purgative," from katharsis "purging, cleansing" (see CATHARSIS (Cf. catharsis)). General sense is from 1670s.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
cathartic
Look at other dictionaries:
cathartic — CÁTHARTIC, Ă, cathartici, ce, adj. (lit.) Purificator. [Scris şi: catartic. – pr.: tar ] – Din fr. cathartique. Trimis de valeriu, 14.07.2006. Sursa: DEX 98 cathártic s. n., adj. m. (sil. thar ) [th … Dicționar Român
Cathartic — Ca*thar tic, Catharical Ca*thar ic*al, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to cleanse, fr. ? pure; akin to F. chaste.] 1. (Med.) Cleansing the bowels; promoting evacuations by stool; purgative. [1913 Webster] 2. Of or pertaining to the purgative principle of senna … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Cathartic — Ca*thar tic, n. [Gr. ?.] (Med.) A medicine that promotes alvine discharges; a purge; a purgative of moderate activity. [1913 Webster] Note: The cathartics are more energetic and certain in action that the laxatives, which simply increase the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
cathartic — [kə thär′tik] adj. [Gr kathartikos] of or effecting catharsis; purging: also cathartical n. [LL catharticum] a medicine for stimulating evacuation of the bowels; purgative SYN. PHYSIC … English World dictionary
Cathartic — In medicine, a cathartic is a substance which accelerates defecation.This is in contrast to a laxative, which is a substance which eases defecation, usually by softening the stool. [MeshName|Cathartics] It is possible for a substance to be both a … Wikipedia
cathartic — I. adjective Etymology: Late Latin or Greek; Late Latin catharticus, from Greek kathartikos, from kathairein Date: 1612 of, relating to, or producing catharsis < cathartic drugs > < a cathartic experience > • cathartically adverb II … New Collegiate Dictionary
cathartic — [[t]kəθɑ͟ː(r)tɪk[/t]] ADJ GRADED Something that is cathartic has the effect of catharsis. [FORMAL] His laughter was cathartic, an animal yelp that brought tears to his eyes. ...a liberating and cathartic experience … English dictionary
cathartic — 1. Relating to catharsis. 2. An agent having purgative action. * * * ca·thar·tic kə thärt ik adj of, relating to, or producing catharsis cathartic n a cathartic medicine: PURGATIVE * * * n … Medical dictionary
cathartic — ca|thar|tic [kəˈθa:tık US a:r ] adj formal helping you to remove strong or violent emotions ▪ a cathartic experience … Dictionary of contemporary English
cathartic — catharsis ► NOUN ▪ the release of pent up emotions, for example through drama. DERIVATIVES cathartic adjective & noun. ORIGIN Greek katharsis, from kathairein cleanse … English terms dictionary
