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n. A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. adj. 1. Stimulating evacuation of the bowels. 2. Causing looseness or relaxation, especially of the bowels. [Middle English, from Old French laxatif, from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, preventing constipation, from Late Latin, assuaging, from Latin laxātus, past participle of laxāre, to relax, from laxus, loose; see LAX.] |
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