laxative
UK/'læksәtiv/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
A medicine or food that stimulates bowel movements to relieve constipation
泻药，通便剂
adj.
Tending to stimulate or ease bowel movements
通便的，有泻下作用的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedlax (loosen, from laxāre) + -ative (tending to) = 'tending to loosen.' The most literal use of the root: a laxative loosens the bowels. No metaphor — laxāre applied straight to the body to relieve constipation.
Root lax still carries 6 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.take a laxative服用泻药
- 2.a mild laxative温和的泻药
- 3.natural laxative天然泻药
- 4.laxative effect通便作用
Example Sentences
- 1.
The doctor prescribed a mild laxative for her constipation.
- 2.
Prunes have a natural laxative effect.
- 3.
Overusing laxatives can be harmful to your health.