Anticholagogue

/ˌæntɪˈkoʊləɡɑːɡ/ noun

Definition

A substance or treatment that opposes or reduces the secretion of bile, or that works against cholagogue (bile-promoting) agents.

Etymology

Anti- + cholagogue (from Greek 'chole' meaning bile + 'agogos' meaning leading). The term developed in medical literature to describe agents opposing bile flow or cholagogue effects.

Kelly Says

Medieval doctors were obsessed with 'humors' and bile—they had elaborate systems of cholagoguess and anticholagoguess, representing early medical theory that was eventually overturned but created a rich technical vocabulary.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.