aperient

English

Etymology

Attested since the early 17th century, from Latin aperient-, present participle of aperire (“to open”).

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: /əˈpɪɹ.i.ənt/

Adjective

aperient

1. Having a gentle laxative effect.
   • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 8: Laestrygonians]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC, part II [Odyssey], page 171:

     [T]ouching the much vexed question of stimulants he relished a glass of choice old wine in season as both nourishing and bloodmaking and possessing aperient virtues (notably a good burgundy which he was a staunch believer in) […]

Noun

aperient (plural aperients)

1. A laxative, either in the form of a medicine or a food such as asparagus or hops, which has the effect of moving the bowels, or aiding digestion and preventing constipation.
   • 1849 April 7, “The Outcry about Chicory”, in William, Robert Chambers, editors, Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal, volume XI, number 275 (New Series), Edinburgh: Published by William and Robert Chambers; London: W[illiam] S[omerville] Orr, →OCLC, page 217, column 1:

     In its fresh vegetable state, chicory, or succory—the Cichorium Intybus of botanists, is said to be a good tonic, and to have the effect of an aperient.

Related terms

• aperture

Anagrams

• epinetra, perinate, repeatin'

Latin

Verb

aperient

1. third-person plural future active indicative of aperiō