carminative

comparative more carminative · superlative most carminative

1. medicineRelieving the discomfort of gas in the digestive tract, either by reducing its production (by the gut microbiota) or by inducing its expulsion (whether as belches [upper GI action] or as flatus [lower GI action]).

   They used to give me cinnamon when I had a cold—quite useless, but not disagreeable. […] On the label was a list of its virtues, and among other things it was described as being in the highest degree carminative. I adored the word.

   1921, Aldous Huxley, chapter 20, in Crome Yellow, London: Chatto & Windus, page 220

   1 more example

   If too much milke be the cauſe, then the Nurſe ſhall not give the childe ſucke ſo often, nor in ſuch plenty: If it proceed from wind, and that doe cauſe the childe to be thus troubled, it ſhall be diſcuſſed with Fomentations applied to the belly and navell; and with Carminative Cliſters, which ſhall bee given him, […]

   1635, James Guillimeau [i.e., Jacques Guillemeau], “Of Gripings and Fretting in the Belly, which Trouble Little Children”, in The Nvrsing of Children […] , London: Printed by Anne Griffin […] ; published in Child-birth, or, The Happy Delivery of VVomen […] , London: Printed by Anne Griffih […] , 1635, →OCLC, page 52

plural carminatives

1. medicineA drug or substance that relieves the discomfort of gas in the digestive tract, either by reducing its production (by the gut microbiota) or by inducing its expulsion (whether as belches [upper GI action] or as flatus [lower GI action]).

   “A mental carminative,” said Mr. Scogan reflectively. “That's what you need.”

   1921, Aldous Huxley, chapter 20, in Crome Yellow, London: Chatto & Windus, page 226

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   But Master Nathaniel was indifferent to these manifestations of unpopularity. Let mental suffering be intense enough, and it becomes a sort of carminative.

   1926, Hope Mirrlees, chapter 9, in Lud-in-the-Mist