LAXATIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does laxative mean? 

• LAXATIVE (noun)
  The noun LAXATIVE has 1 sense:

1. a mild cathartic

  Familiarity information: LAXATIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• LAXATIVE (adjective)
  The adjective LAXATIVE has 1 sense:

1. stimulating evacuation of feces

  Familiarity information: LAXATIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LAXATIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A mild cathartic

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("laxative" is a kind of...):

aperient; cathartic; physic; purgative (a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "laxative"):

phenolphthalein (a laxative used in many preparations under various trade names; also used as an acid-base indicator in titrations involving weak acids and strong bases because it is brilliant red at high alkalinity and colorless below pH 8)

• LAXATIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Stimulating evacuation of feces

Similar:

aperient (mildly laxative)

cathartic; evacuant; purgative (strongly laxative)

Antonym:

costive (retarding evacuation of feces; binding; constipating)

 Context examples 

Mineral oil is used in laxatives, lubricants, creams, and lotions.

(Mineral oil, NCI Dictionary)

Osmotic also refers to a type of laxative that increases the amount of water in the large intestine, which softens the stool to help it pass more easily.

(Osmosis, NCI Dictionary)

A synthetic, fourteen amino acid peptide and agonist of intestinal guanylate cyclase type C (GC-C), which is structurally related to the guanylin peptide family, with secretagogue, analgesic and laxative activities.

(Linaclotide, NCI Thesaurus)

There are different types of laxatives that differ in mechanism of action and potency, including the bulk-producing agents, stool softeners, lubricants, hydrating agents, stimulants, saline laxatives and hyperosmotic agents.

(Laxative, NCI Thesaurus)

In medicine, forms of PEG can be used in ointments, in drugs or substances to make them stay in the body longer, or in laxatives.

(PEG, NCI Dictionary)

Upon oral administration, the PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid-based laxative promotes the retention of water in the bowel.

(PEG-3350/Sodium Sulfate/Sodium Chloride/Potassium Chloride/Sodium Ascorbate/Ascorbic Acid-based Laxative, NCI Thesaurus)

However, phenolphthalein is no longer used as a laxative due to the suspected carcinogenicity of this compound.

(Phenolphthalein, NCI Thesaurus)

Compared to the 4 liter PEG-3350-based preparations, this PEG-based laxative is a low volume (2 liter) preparation, which may improve tolerance.

(PEG-based Laxative NER1006, NCI Thesaurus)

A trihydroxyalcohol with localized osmotic diuretic and laxative effects.

(Glycerin, NCI Thesaurus)

A nontoxic laxative vermicide of chlorinated phenol compound.

(Dichlorophen, NCI Thesaurus)