cathartically

1 definition found

cathartically - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cathartic \Ca*thar"tic\, n. [Gr. ?.] (Med.)
     A medicine that promotes alvine discharges; a purge; a
     purgative of moderate activity.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The cathartics are more energetic and certain in action
           that the laxatives, which simply increase the tendency
           to alvine evacuation; and less powerful and irritaint
           that the drastic purges, which cause profuse, repeated,
           and watery evacuations. -- Ca*thar"tic*al*ly, adv. --
           Ca*thar"tic*al*ness, n.
           [1913 Webster]