cathartics
|ca-thar-tics|
🇺🇸
/kəˈθɑr.tɪks/
🇬🇧
/kəˈθɑː.tɪks/
(cathartic)
purging or cleansing
Etymology
'cathartic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kathartikos', where 'kathairein' meant 'to cleanse' and 'katharos' meant 'pure'.
'cathartic' changed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'catharticus' and passed into English (Middle English/Modern English) as 'cathartic'.
Initially it meant 'cleansing' in a physical sense (purging the body); over time it also came to be used metaphorically for emotional or psychological release.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'cathartic'. Substances (medicinal agents) that act as laxatives or purgatives, inducing bowel evacuation.
After the surgery the patient was given cathartics to relieve postoperative constipation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/03 03:26