An inactive substance mixed with a medicine or drug to give it bulk, form, or taste, but not the active healing ingredient.
From Latin 'excipiens' (present participle of excipere: ex- 'out' + capere 'to take'), meaning 'that which receives or holds.' Pharmaceutical term from the 17th century.
When you take a pill with a tiny amount of active drug, that pill might be 90% excipient—the filler that makes the medicine hold together! Chemists have to choose these carefully because some people are allergic to lactose, gelatin, or dyes used as excipients.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.