APERIENT

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-PIR-ee-uhnt)

MEANING: adjective: Having a laxative effect: stimulating evacuation of the bowels.
noun: Something that relieves constipation.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin aperire (to open). Ultimately from the Indo-European root wer- (to cover), which also gave us overt, cover, warranty, warren, garage, garret, garment, garrison, garnish, guarantee, and pert. Earliest documented use: 1626.
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AMPERIENT - pertaining to electrical current

NAPERIENT - 1. pertaining to logarithms; 2. in need of a brief midday sleep

APORIENT - that point in your travels where you are furthest to the east