Aperient
/əˈpɪəriənt/noun
Having a mildly laxative effect or acting to open the bowels.
Did you know?Aperient belongs to an old medical tradition that described laxatives as agents that “open” bodily passages, reflecting ancient theories of health as the proper movement of fluids.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ap- / *h₂ep-
“Away from or off; a proposed ancient element associated with opening or separation”
Ancient Latin
Latin
aperīre
“To open, uncover, or disclose”
Classical Latin
Latin
aperiēns
“Opening; the present participle of aperīre”
Medieval Latin
Latin
aperiens
“Opening the bowels; laxative, in medical usage”
17th Century
English
aperient
“A medicine that gently opens the bowels”
Modern English
English
aperient
“Mildly laxative; a laxative medicine”