Expulsive

/ɪkˈspʌlsɪv/ adjective

Definition

Having the quality or power of expelling, driving out, or forcing something away; tending to cause expulsion.

Etymology

From Latin 'expulsivus', formed from 'expulsus' (past participle of 'expellere') plus the adjective suffix '-ive', meaning 'tending to' or 'capable of'.

Kelly Says

Medieval and Renaissance physicians used 'expulsive' constantly to describe bodily processes and medicines—'expulsive force' was thought to clear the body of evil humors, showing how this adjective embedded ancient medical theories into technical language.

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