aperient

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: /əˈpɪɹ.i.ənt/

• Audio (US):

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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) […]

2. Serving to open or reveal.
   • 1927, Psyche - Volume 7, page 2:

     Is it really more knowledge we want, or more understanding? Are we in fact clavigerous and fail to realize the aperient properties of that which is in our hand?

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