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 — (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
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
