Carminate

/ˈkɑrmɪneɪt/ verb

Definition

To expel or relieve gas from the digestive system; to have carminative properties.

Etymology

From Latin carminare, meaning 'to card wool' or 'to comb out,' which became metaphorically applied to removing impurities; later applied to digestive action.

Kelly Says

The metaphor is brilliant: just as combing removes tangles from wool, carminative herbs 'comb out' gas from your intestines—medieval herbalists thought in these vivid, physical comparisons.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

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