minorative

English

Alternative forms

• minoratyve [16th C.]

Etymology

From the late-(deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle French minoratif, minorative (“that diminishes or lessens”, of a medicine “mildly laxative”; as a noun “a mild laxative”), from minorer (“to diminish the importance [of]”). Equivalent to minorate (“diminish”, “lessen”) +‎ -ive. Compare the post-Classical (i.e. 9th C.) Latin minōrātīvus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmaɪnəɹeɪtɪv/

Adjective

minorative (not comparable)

1. (obsolete, of a medicine) Gently laxative.
   • 1543, Bartholomew Traheron (translator), Joannes de Vigo (author), The Most Excellent Workes of Chirurgerye, book IX, addendum, page 225:

     Clysters sometymes do supplye the rowme of minoratyve medicines.

   • 1747, Jean Astruc (author; translator unknown), Academical Lectures on Fevers, page 112:

     Nothing but minorative apozems should be ordered.

Translations

of a medicine: gently laxative

• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

Noun

minorative (plural minoratives)

1. (obsolete) A gently laxative medicine.
   • 1633, James Hart, Κλινική; or, The Diet of the Diseased, book III, chapter xiv, page 284:

     When […] wee feare lest nature faint before perfect concoction, we may sometimes use a gentle minorative.

   • 1747, Jean Astruc (author; translator unknown), Academical Lectures on Fevers, page 232:

     Others give minoratives more frequently.

Translations

a gentle laxative

• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

Related terms

• minorand

• minorate

• minoration

References

• NED VI (L–N; 1st ed., 1908), part ii (M–N), § 1 (M), page 478/3, “†Mi·norative, a. and sb.”
• OED (2nd ed., 1989), “†ˈminorative, a. and n.”
• OED (3rd ed., March 2002), “†minorative, adj. and n.”

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French

Adjective

minorative

1. feminine singular of minoratif

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Middle French

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

minorative f (plural minoratives)

1. laxative