a. and sb. Obs. Also 6–7 solutiue, 7 solitive. [ad. med.L. solūtīv-us, f. solūt-, ppl. stem of solvĕre SOLVE v. Cf. F. solutif, -ive, Sp., Pg. and It. solutivo.]
A. adj. 1. Laxative, relaxing. (Common in 17th cent.)
1564–78. Bullein, Dial. agst. Pest. (1886), 50. The sirup of Roses solutiue.
1576. G. Baker, trans. Gesner’s Jewell of Health, 112. This electuarie may be matched or myxed with any other solutive medicine.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vii. 148. Their iuyce is of an abstersiue and solutiue faculty.
1666. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual., 135. Yet the Seeds of this Solutive Cassia are Astringent.
1721. W. Gibson, True Meth. Diet. Horses, xi. (1726), 175. Their first Diet must be … solutive and opening.
1750. trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 101. It has a solutive Virtue, as skilful Physicians say.
2. Capable of releasing or setting free.
1649. Evelyn, Of Liberty & Servitude, iv. Misc. Writ. (1805), 27. This liberty … is so rare because of her solutive faculty from whatsoever … restrains our affections.
3. Capable of dissolving.
1732. Hist. Litteraria, III. 372. Its solutive power … extends to the dissolving of all Salts.
B. sb. 1. A laxative or purgative medicine.
1605. Timme, Quersit., I. xvi. 82. Out of many other such like things may be extracted both meane and violent solutiues.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 351. Solutives forbidden in the cure of the Plague.
1674. R. Godfrey, Inj. & Ab. Physic, 203. To advise them to … be sure that the Solutive be safe.
2. A solvent.
1712. trans. Pomet’s Hist. Drugs, I. 177. The Mercury … becomes a Solutive for Minerals.
