a. and sb. Also 4 expulsif, 5 -syfe, 6 -cive. [a. F. expulsif, -ive, ad. med.L. expulsīv-us, f. expellĕre to EXPEL: see EXPULSE and -IVE.] A. adj.
1. Tending or having the power to expel. Chiefly with reference to the action of drugs and medical appliances for the expulsion of morbid influences or deleterious substances from the system. Very frequent in phr. † Expulsive faculty, virtue.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1891. The vertu expulsif … Ne may the venym voyde, ne expelle.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., III. in Ashm. (1652), 141. Of poysons most expulsyfe.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. Other maner of byndynge is called expulsiue … to expell and put out the mater from the botome.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, Pref. 4. Chierurgyons must knowe … what sygnes [of the moon] be expulcive.
1658. A. Fox, trans. Würtz’ Surg., II. viii. 70. An expulsive vulnerary potion.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, I. ix. 30. Cold is Active, Penetrative, Expulsive of its Contrary.
1758. J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 52. In the Application of expulsive Compresses.
1803. J. Kenney, Society, 29.
| Duties congenial to thy gentle heart | |
| Her lessons teach, expulsive of despair. |
1885. Manch. Exam., 26 Oct., 5/2. The enormous expulsive force of the steam in its endeavour to escape.
† 2. Subject to expulsion; hence, driven out. rare.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XVI. viii. Her goodly fygure I graved in my thought; Except her selfe all were expulcyfe.
† 3. Tending to repel; = REPELLENT. Obs.
1618. Chapman, Hesiod, II. 25/225. Euen Oxe-hides also want expulsiue stuffe.
1662. R. Mathew, Unl. Alch., § 24. 17. This little World hangeth upon the two Poles, Attractive and Expulsive.
† B. sb. An expulsive drug. Obs.
1576. Baker, Jewell of Health, 235 b. The lyke neyther in the laxatiues, purgatiues, & expulsyues is to be found.
Hence Expulsiveness.
1727. in Bailey, vol. II.
