▪ I. suppository, n.
(səˈpɒzɪtərɪ)
Also 6–7 -ary, -arie.
[ad. late L. suppositōrium, neut. sing., used subst., of suppositōrius placed underneath or up, f. supposit-, suppōnĕre to suppone. Cf. F. suppositoire.]
A plug of conical or cylindrical shape to be introduced into the rectum in order to stimulate the bowels to action (or to reduce hæmorrhoids), or into the vagina or urethra for various purposes.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 13 If he may not schite oones a day, helpe him þerto, or with clisterie, or wiþ suppositorie. ? 1485 Knutsson Bk. Pest. 5 Prouoke a laxe by a suppositorye. 1522 More De Quat. Noviss. Wks. 100 Pilles, potions, plasters, glisters, and suppositaries. 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe iii. v. (1541) 56 Suppositories ar made somtyme with hony only, sodden, rolled on a bourde, and made rounde, smaller at the one ende than at the other..they must be put vp in at the fundement, to the great end. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Vn Pessaire, a kinde of suppositories to prouoke a womans flowers. 1597 Gerarde Herbal i. xc. 145 Used in maner of a pessarie or mother suppositorie. 1610 Markham Masterp. i. xci. 174 Nothing can purge the guts with that gentlenesse which a suppositary doth. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iv. ii. iii, Suppositaries of Castilian sope. c 1720 W. Gibson Farrier's Dispens. x. (1734) 249 The common and usual Suppository..is made with Honey and Salt. 1876 Trans. Clinical Soc. IX. 103 The extract of belladonna was ordered to be administered in the shape of suppositories. |
| fig. 1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus S iij b, It is not my purginge pilles..but Cornelius his swete suppositorye, that must minister you phisicke. |
† b. Applied abusively to a person. nonce-use.
| 1610 B. Jonson Alch. v. v, Madame Suppository. 1675 Cotton Scoffer Scoft 96 This Jack..this Glisterpipe..this vile Suppository. |
▪ II. suˈppository, a.
Also 6–7 -ary.
[ad. late L. suppositōrius (see prec.).]
† 1. Used as, or pertaining to, a suppository. Obs.
| 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 145/2 Take Hernes greace,..as bigge as a hasellnutte, administre the same from vnder, like a suppositorye pille. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 256 Giue it the patient by svppository meanes for the bloody Flix. |
† 2. = supposititious 1. Obs.
| 1641 Earl of Monmouth tr. Biondi's Civil Wars v. 142 The robberies, which with suppository beards were done upon the high wayes by his Souldiers. |
3. = suppositional. Now rare.
| 1644 G. Plattes in Hartlib Legacy (1655) 236 Unlesse I should have set a suppository value, upon part of it. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 107 Whether..a bare hypothesis or sole suppositary argument, may not..with the same facility..be denyed, as it is affirmed? 1672 Penn Spir. Truth Vind. 49, I am at a stand what he intends with his suppository Introduction. 1780 M. Madan Thelyphthora I. 85 The whole passage is suppository or hypothetical. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 15 June 10/1 These recent suppository interviews. |
So † suˈppositorily adv., as a suppository.
| 1547 Boorde Brev. Health clxxii. 61 b, Confecte this togyther with the whyte of an egge..and suppositaryly use it. |