Carminative
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A drug or substance that relieves the discomfort of gas in the digestive tract, either by reducing its production (by the gut microbiota) or by inducing its expulsion (whether as belches [upper GI action] or as flatus [lower GI action]).
"“A mental carminative,” said Mr. Scogan reflectively. “That's what you need.”"
- 2 medication that prevents the formation of gas in the alimentary tract or eases its passing wordnet
- 1 Relieving the discomfort of gas in the digestive tract, either by reducing its production (by the gut microbiota) or by inducing its expulsion (whether as belches [upper GI action] or as flatus [lower GI action]).
"If too much milke be the cauſe, then the Nurſe ſhall not give the childe ſucke ſo often, nor in ſuch plenty: If it proceed from wind, and that doe cauſe the childe to be thus troubled, it ſhall be diſcuſſed with Fomentations applied to the belly and navell; and with Carminative Cliſters, which ſhall bee given him, […]"
- 1 relieving gas in the alimentary tract (colic or flatulence or griping) wordnet
Example
More examples"If too much milke be the cauſe, then the Nurſe ſhall not give the childe ſucke ſo often, nor in ſuch plenty: If it proceed from wind, and that doe cauſe the childe to be thus troubled, it ſhall be diſcuſſed with Fomentations applied to the belly and navell; and with Carminative Cliſters, which ſhall bee given him, […]"
Etymology
From Latin carminō (“to card, hence to cleanse”), from carmen (“a card for freeing wool or flax from the coarser parts, and from extraneous matter”).
Related phrases
More for "carminative"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.