Definitions for cathartic
kəˈθɑr tɪkcathar·tic

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. purgative, cathartic, physic, aperientadjective

   a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels

2. cathartic, psychotherapeuticadjective

   emotionally purging

3. cathartic, releasingadjective

   emotionally purging (of e.g. art)

4. cathartic, evacuant, purgativeadjective

   strongly laxative

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. catharticnoun

   A laxative

2. catharticadjective

   purgative; inducing catharsis

3. catharticadjective

   That releases emotional tension, especially after an overwhelming experience

4. Etymology: From κάθαρσις

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Cathartic

   In medicine, a cathartic is a substance that accelerates defecation. This is similar to a laxative, which is a substance that eases defecation, usually by softening feces. It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic. However, agents such as psyllium seed husks increase the bulk of the feces.Cathartics such as sorbitol, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate, or sodium sulfate were previously used as a form of gastrointestinal decontamination following poisoning via ingestion. They are no longer routinely recommended for poisonings. High-dose cathartics may be an effective means of ridding the lower gastrointestinal tract of toxins; however, they carry a risk of electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. Catharsis can be an effect of pesticide poisonings, such as with elemental sulfur.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. cathartic

   A cathartic is something that provides or brings about intense emotional release or relief, often through various means such as art, therapy, or medicine. It helps in eliminating toxins, negative feelings, or pent-up emotions, leading to a sense of purification or renewal. In medical terms, it refers to a drug or substance used to stimulate bowel movements or cause evacuation of the bowels.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Catharticadjective

   alt. of Catharical

2. Catharticnoun

   a medicine that promotes alvine discharges; a purge; a purgative of moderate activity

3. Etymology: [Gr. .]

WikidataRate this definition:2.7 / 3 votes

1. Cathartic

   In medicine, a cathartic is a substance that accelerates defecation. This is in contrast to a laxative, which is a substance which eases defecation, usually by softening feces. It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic. However, agents such as psyllium seed husks increase the bulk of the feces. Cathartics such as sorbitol, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate, or sodium sulfate were previously used as a form of gastrointestinal decontamination following poisoning via ingestion. They are no longer routinely recommended for poisonings. High-dose cathartics may be an effective means of ridding the lower gastrointestinal tract of toxins; however, they carry a risk of electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. During the 1918 flu pandemic, cathartics were used in the Fort Lewis, WA, area. An original report by Elizabeth J. Davies, a public health nurse, mentions cathartics, pneumonia jackets and copious amount of drinks as treatments for influenza patients. Blood is a cathartic. Gastrointestinal bleeding will cause diarrhea.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Cathartic

   -al, kath-ärt′ik, -al, adj. having the power of cleansing the stomach and bowels: purgative.—v.t. Cath′arise, to render absolutely clean.—ns. Cathar′sis, evacuation of the bowels; Cathart′ic, a purgative medicine; Cathar′tin, the purgative principle of senna. [Gr. kathartikos, fit for cleansing, katharos, clean.]

Matched Categories

1. • Art

How to pronounce cathartic?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say cathartic in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of cathartic in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of cathartic in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of cathartic in a Sentence

1. Rooma Mehra:

   All great creativity is cathartic.. hence original...

2. Rooma Mehra:

   All great creativity is cathartic..hence original..

3. Lauryn Hill:

   I loved and believed deeply in my community's ability to both love and heal itself provided it received the right amount of support and encouragement, our world today, both complex and changing, is in need of the balance between moral fortitude and cathartic expression. I hope the love and energy that permeated this work can continue to inspire change with love and optimism at the helm.

4. Nicole Neily:

   Far too many elected officials have shown over the past two years that the 'consent of the governed' is little more than an inconvenient speed bump on the road to advancing their unpopular agendas. Mocking and dismissing the concerns of the community may be cathartic for petty dictators, but it is not a path to electoral success.

5. Julian Castro:

   It's going to be cathartic for the party to go through a process where everybody gets to show what they've got. Where Julian Castro have debates with over a dozen people and every wing of the party is represented.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=cathartic
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cathartic
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathartic
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathartic
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=cathartic
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=cathartic