antidiarrhoeal
|an-ti-di-ar-rhoe-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.daɪ.əˈri.əl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.daɪ.əˈriːəl/
against diarrhea
Etymology
'antidiarrhoeal' originates from modern English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') + 'diarrhoea' + the adjectival suffix '-al'.
'diarrhoea' comes from Late Latin 'diarrhoea' and Greek 'diarrhoia', from 'diarrhein' (dia- 'through' + rheein 'to flow'); 'antidiarrhoeal' was later formed in modern English by adding 'anti-' to refer to agents against diarrhoea.
Initially the Greek-derived elements described the condition meaning 'a flowing through' (excessive discharge); over time the combined modern term came to mean 'against or preventing diarrhoea' when used as a noun or adjective for medicines.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a medicine or agent used to relieve or prevent diarrhea.
The doctor recommended an antidiarrhoeal to help control the symptoms.
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Antonyms
Adjective 1
used to prevent or treat diarrhea; having the effect of reducing bowel motility or fluid loss.
She took an antidiarrhoeal tablet before traveling to avoid problems.
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Last updated: 2025/12/19 21:29