Apertive
/əˈpɜːr.tɪv/noun
Serving to open, especially the bowels, or tending to produce an opening.
Did you know?In historical medicine, “apertive” described remedies believed to open bodily passages, reflecting the older medical theory that health depended on removing obstructions.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
aperīre
“to open, uncover, or reveal”
Classical Latin
Latin
apertus
“open or uncovered; the past participle of aperīre”
Late Latin
Latin
apertīvus
“opening or serving to open”
Middle English
English
apertif
“opening or having an opening effect”
Early Modern English
English
apertive
“Opening or laxative, especially in medical usage”
Modern English
English
apertive
“Serving to open; chiefly rare or technical”