Dictionary Definition
alterative adj : 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" [syn:
curative, healing(p),
remedial, sanative, therapeutic]
User Contributed Dictionary
Pronunciation
IPA: WEAE /ˈɔl.tɚˌaɪ.tɪv/ or /ˈɔl.tɚ.ə.tɪv/Adjective
- Causing alteration. Specifically: Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health. --Burton.
Noun
- A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.