alterative
adjEtymology From Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.
1
Causing alteration.
2
Medicine, Sciences Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state into a healthy one.
alterative
nounUK /ˈɒl.tɹə.tɪv/ · US /ˈɔl.tɚˌaɪ.tɪv/
Etymology From Latin alterativum, noun use of alterativus.
1
Medicine, Sciences Historical A medicine or treatment which works by changing processes within the body, rather than by evacuating something etc.
- 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.1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 5, member 1, subsection v: