Dictionary Definition
cathartic adj
1 emotionally purging [syn: psychotherapeutic]
2 emotionally purging (of e.g. art) [syn:
releasing]
3 strongly laxative [syn: evacuant, purgative] n : a purging
medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels [syn: purgative, physic, aperient]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Pronunciation
-
- Rhymes: -ɑː(r)tɪk
Adjective
Translations
purgative; inducing catharsis
- Finnish: ulostuksen aikaansaava
Noun
- A laxative
Translations
a laxative
- Finnish: laksatiivi, ulostusaine, ulostuslääke
Extensive Definition
- For other uses, see catharsis (disambiguation)
This is in contrast to a laxative, which is a substance
which eases defecation, usually by softening the stool. It is possible
for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic. However,
agents such as psyllium
seed husks increase the bulk of the stool.
As an adjective, cathartic means
psychotherapeutic or emotionally beneficial; viewing art or
listening to music may be cathartic experiences.