English Explanatory Dictionary

cathartic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Purgative; inducing mental or physical catharsis.
  2. That which releases emotional tension, especially after an overwhelming experience.
noun
  1. A laxative.

Pronunciation

/kəˈθɑɹtɪk/ en-us-cathartic.ogg

Word forms

cathartic more cathartic most cathartic cathartick cathartics

Etymology

Learned borrowing from New Latin catharticus, from Ancient Greek καθαρτικός (kathartikós).

Derived words

anacathartic anticathartic cathart cathartical cathartically cathartine emetocathartic hemocathartic uncathartic
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