Search this site:

Definition of laxative

Reference


Word of the Day
exculpate
Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt.
Petersons.com
Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page:
Add to My Yahoo! View RSS Feed
About My Yahoo! and RSS »

  

lax·a·tive  audio  (lks-tv) KEY  

NOUN:
A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.
ADJECTIVE:
  1. Stimulating evacuation of the bowels.
  2. Causing looseness or relaxation, especially of the bowels.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French laxatif, from Medieval Latin laxtvus, preventing constipation, from Late Latin, assuaging, from Latin laxtus, past participle of laxre, to relax, from laxus, loose ; see lax


Visit our partner's site
Provided by Houghton Mifflin
logoeReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer


Search Dictionary:

 More on Yahoo! Education
 • Online and On-Campus Degree Programs
    MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More

 • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide
    College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search
  
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Other Important Information
-