What does laxator mean?
A laxator is a rare formal or technical name for a laxative: a substance or preparation that loosens the bowels or encourages bowel movements. The term can be found in older medical and pharmaceutical writing, where it may distinguish a particular kind of laxative or describe its effect. In contemporary English, however, “laxative” is the standard and readily understood term. A laxator may act gently or strongly, depending on the substance involved, so modifiers such as “mild” and “strong” are common in historical descriptions. The word is useful chiefly as an example of formal Latin-derived medical vocabulary and as a close relative of laxative, laxation, and laxity.
nounA laxative; an agent that loosens the bowels or promotes bowel movements.
- A laxative or agent that loosens the bowels and promotes bowel movements.
"A mild laxator was prescribed for occasional constipation."
"A mild laxator was prescribed for occasional constipation."
"The pharmacist explained how the laxator should be taken with plenty of water."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely encountered because the headword itself is uncommon.
"Several mild laxators were available in the pharmacy."
From Latin laxus, meaning “loose,” laxator belongs to a family of words concerned with loosening or easing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laxator come from?
Laxator comes from Latin laxator, meaning “one who or that which loosens or relaxes,” formed from laxare, “to loosen or relax,” and laxus, “loose.” It is cognate with English laxative and laxation, which also derive from the same Latin root. The English form retains the learned character of its Latin source and is now much less common than the everyday term laxative.
How laxator is actually used
This is a rare formal or technical term. In ordinary modern usage, “laxative” is much more common.