cathartic

noun

: a medicine that causes the bowels to be purged (see purge entry 1 sense 2a) : purgative

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Word History of Catharsis and Cathartic

Catharsis and cathartic both trace to the Greek word kathairein, meaning “to cleanse, purge.” Catharsis entered English as a medical term having to do with purging the body—and especially the bowels—of unwanted material. The adjective cathartic entered English with a meaning descriptive of such a physically cleansing purge. It didn’t take long for people to start using these words figuratively in reference to emotional release and spiritual cleansing.

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cathartic

• artic

Kids Definition

cathartic

noun

ca·​thar·​tic

kə-ˈthärt-ik

: a strong laxative

cathartic adjective

Medical Definition

cathartic

1 of 2 adjective

ca·​thar·​tic kə-ˈthärt-ik 

: of, relating to, or producing catharsis

cathartic

2 of 2 noun

: a cathartic medicine : purgative