alterative

English

Etymology

From Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɒl.tɹə.tɪv/, /ˈɒl.tə.ɹə.tɪv/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɔl.tɚˌaɪ.tɪv/, /ˈɔl.tɚ.ə.tɪv/

Noun

alterative (plural alteratives)

1. (medicine, now historical) A medicine or treatment which works by changing processes within the body, rather than by evacuating something etc. [from 14th c.]
   • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 5, member 1, subsection v:

     Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives I do not find a more present remedy than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used.

Adjective

alterative (comparative more alterative, superlative most alterative)

1. Causing alteration.
   1. (medicine) Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state into a healthy one. [from 15th c.]

Translations

causing alteration

French: altérateur (fr) Italian: alterativo Portuguese: alterativo, alterante, alterador

Italian

Adjective

alterative f

1. feminine plural of alterativo

Anagrams

• alteratevi