alterative

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English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈɒl.tɹə.tɪv/, /ˈɒl.tə.ɹə.tɪv/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. 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.]
    • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and Iames 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. Specifically: Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health. [from 15th c.]

Translations

Italian

Adjective

alterative f

  1. feminine plural of alterativo
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