alterative
/'ɔ:ltərətiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having the property of altering or changing something, especially in a gradual or restorative way. In medical or therapeutic contexts, it describes something that tends to restore healthy bodily function or nutrition.
Usage
- The term is primarily used in medical, therapeutic, or historical contexts to describe treatments, agents, or regimens that aim to correct or restore health by altering bodily processes.
- It is a formal and somewhat archaic term, more commonly found in older medical literature or discussions of traditional medicine.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The physician prescribed an alterative regimen to improve the patient's constitution.
- Certain herbs are considered alterative because they help purify the blood.
Advanced Usage
- "alterative treatment": A therapeutic approach designed to gradually restore health by altering bodily functions or correcting nutritional imbalances.
- In the 19th century, alterative treatments were common for chronic conditions.
Variants and Related Words
- Alter (verb): To change or make different.
- The landscape was altered by the new construction.
- Alteration (noun): The act or process of altering; a change.
- The dress needed a minor alteration.
Synonyms
- Curative: Having the ability to cure or heal.
- Therapeutic: Relating to the treatment of disease or disorders.
- Restorative: Having the power to restore health or strength.
- Sanative: Conducive to healing.
Notes on Meaning
- While the core meaning relates to causing change, in its specific historical and medical sense, "alterative" implies a beneficial change toward health. It is not a general synonym for "changing" in modern everyday English.
Adjective
- tending to cure or restore to health
- curative powers of herbal remedies
- her gentle healing hand
- remedial surgery
- a sanative environment of mountains and fresh air
- a therapeutic agent
- therapeutic diets