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alterative. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
alterative, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
alterative in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
alterative you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɒl.tɹə.tɪv/, /ˈɒl.tə.ɹə.tɪv/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈɔl.tɚˌaɪ.tɪv/, /ˈɔl.tɚ.ə.tɪv/
Noun
alterative (plural alteratives)
- (medicine, now historical) A medicine or treatment which works by changing processes within the body, rather than by evacuating something etc.
1624, Democritus Junior , The Anatomy of Melancholy: , 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: John Lichfield and James 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)
- Causing alteration.
- (medicine) Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state into a healthy one.
Translations
Italian
Adjective
alterative f
- feminine plural of alterativo
Anagrams