Middle English Dictionary Entry
alteratī̆f, -īve adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | alteratī̆f, -īve adj. |
| Etymology | ML & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Causing or promoting alteration in quality (hot-cold, moist-dry); -- as noun: an 'alterative' medicine; (b) ~ vertu, the natural faculty of altering 'quality' in the body.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)85b/a : If þe ache comeþ of hete..þe helpe is wiþ colde medicines & alteratifes..And if it comeþ of coolde..þe cure is wiþ hote alteratiues.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)74/17 : Þis drynke is alteratijf [vr. alteratyff], þat is to seie chaunginge.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)26a/a : Be þer putte in tyme of dolour or aking alteratiuez & dilatiuez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)39b/b : In apostemez of hote materie, in þe bigynnyng be þer homely colde alteratiuez [*Ch.(2): esye altratyf and colynge medicynes].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)42b/b : Alteratiuez [*Ch.(2): altrynge medecynes].
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)32a/a : Causez of which [aquose apostemes] beþ alteratiue vertue infrigidate [*Ch.(2): an alteratyf vertue made colde].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)56b/a : Þe cause why þat a bone is nouȝt sowded..is..þe feblenesse of þe norisshynge and of þe alteratyf vertue [*Ch.(1): vertue nutritiue & alteratiue], when þe membres ben colde.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. alterative.