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doc·u·sate

(dŏkyə-sāt′)

A surface-active agent, C₂₀H₃₇O₇S, given orally in the form of its sodium salt, that decreases surface tension in the intestinal tract and acts as a stool softener.

[D(I)-¹ + oc(tyl), radical containing eight carbon atoms (OCT(O)- + -YL) + -sate (shortening of sulfosuccinate, one of its constituents : SULFO- + SUCCINATE).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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