alterative Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite tending to cure or restore to health
    remedial; healing; sanative; curative; therapeutic.
    • curative powers of herbal remedies
    • her gentle healing hand
    • remedial surgery
    • a sanative environment of mountains and fresh air
    • a therapeutic agent
    • therapeutic diets

WordNet


Al"ter*a*tive adjective
Etymology
L. alterativus: cf. F. altératif.
Definitions
  1. Causing ateration. Specifically: Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health. Burton.
Al"ter*a*tive noun
Definitions
  1. A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.

Webster 1913