Alterative

//ˈɔl.tɚˌaɪ.tɪv// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A medicine or treatment which works by changing processes within the body, rather than by evacuating something etc. historical

    "Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives I do not find a more present remedy than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used."

Adjective
  1. 1
    Causing alteration.
  2. 2
    Causing alteration.; Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state into a healthy one.
Adjective
  1. 1
    tending to cure or restore to health wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
adaptableadjustableadjuvantaidanalepticassistance

Example

More examples

"Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives I do not find a more present remedy than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used."

Etymology

From Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.