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laxative

Pronunciation: /ˈlaksətɪv/

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Definition of laxative

adjective

  • (chiefly of a drug or medicine) tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels: laxative drugs the laxative properties of sodium sulphate

noun

  • a medicine which has a laxative effect: he may prescribe a laxative to ease the congestion

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French laxatif, -ive or late Latin laxativus, from Latin laxare 'loosen' (from laxus 'loose')

laxative in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of laxative in the US English dictionary

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