Category:Alterative

Al"ter*a*tive, a. Etym: [L. alterativus: cf. F. altératif.]

Defn: Causing ateration. Specifically:

Defn: Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health. Burton.

Al"ter*a*tive, n.

Defn: A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.