aperitive

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin aperitivus, from Late Latin apertivus, from Latin aperio. Doublet of apéritif, from French.

Adjective

aperitive (comparative more aperitive, superlative most aperitive)

1. (medicine) Tending to open the bowels; aperient
2. Serving as an apéritif: a pre-meal alcoholic drink.
   • 1904, Henry James, Fordham Castle:

     She was looking, while so occupied, at the German group engaged in the garden, near by, with aperitive beer and disputation....

Noun

aperitive (plural aperitives)

1. (medicine) aperient