‖ elaterium
(ɛləˈtɪərɪʌm)
[a. L. elatērium, ad. Gr. ἐλατήριον an opening medicine, f. ἐλα- stem of ἐλαύνειν to drive. Senses 3 and 4 are due to elater1.]
† 1. A purgative medicine. Obs.—0
| 1721–1800 in Bailey. |
2. A sediment or precipitate from the juice of the Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium agreste, Momordica Elaterium), having a bitter acrid taste, and acting as a drastic purgative and emetic. Also called English Elaterium, to distinguish it from French Elaterium, a much less active preparation, produced by evaporation of the juice.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens iii. xl. 373 Elaterium..driueth foorth by siege grosse fleme. 1657 Phys. Dict., Elaterium..is good against the dropsie. 1684 tr. Willis' Pharmaceutice Rat. 41 Other purging Medicins, as Jalap, Colycinthis, Elaterium..consist of sharp particles. 1790 Buchan Dom. Med. 551 If two grains of white vitriol, and the same quantity of elaterium, be dissolved in half an ounce of marjoram-water, etc. 1831 J. Davies Manual Mat. Med. 22 The elaterium..contains a principle sui generis, and a bitter substance almost inert by itself. 1866 Treas. Bot. I. 437/1 So powerful is pure elaterium, that one eighth part of a grain is sufficient to produce strong cathartic effects. |
† 3. Elasticity, springiness (spec. of the air): = elater1, elatery. Obs.
| 1708 in Kersey. 1721–1800 in Bailey. 1775 in Ash. |
4. Used by Richard for the fruit of the Euphorbiaceæ, which opens elastically when ripe.