Also 6–7 -ary, -arie. [ad. late L. suppositōrium, neut. sing., used subst., of suppositōrius placed underneath or up, f. supposit-, suppōnĕre to SUPPONE. Cf. F. suppositoire.] A plug of conical or cylindrical shape to be introduced into the rectum in order to stimulate the bowels to action (or to reduce hæmorrhoids), or into the vagina or urethra for various purposes.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 13. If he may not schite oones a day, helpe him þerto, or with clisterie, or wiþ suppositorie.
1485[?]. Knutsson, Bk. Pest., 5. Prouoke a laxe by a suppositorye.
1522. More, De Quat. Noviss., Wks. 100. Pilles, potions, plasters, glisters, and suppositaries.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe, III. v. (1541), 56. Suppositories ar made somtyme with hony only, sodden, rolled on a bourde, and made rounde, smaller at the one ende than at the other … they must be put vp in at the fundement, to the great end.
1580. Hollyband, Trens. Fr. Tong, Vn Pessaire, a kinde of suppositories to prouoke a womans flowers.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, I. xc. 145. Used in maner of a pessarie or mother suppositorie.
1610. Markham, Masterp., I. xci. 174. Nothing can purge the guts with that gentlenesse which a suppositary doth.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. iv. II. iii. Suppositaries of Castilian sope.
[1720. W. Gibson, Farrier’s Dispens., x. (1734), 249. The common and usual Suppository … is made with Honey and Salt.
1876. Trans. Clinical Soc., IX. 103. The extract of belladonna was ordered to be administered in the shape of suppositories.
fig. 1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, S iij b. It is not my purginge pilles … but Cornelius his swete suppositorye, that must minister you phisicke.
† b. Applied abusively to a person. nonce-use.
1610. B. Jonson, Alch., V. v. Madame Suppository.
1675. Cotton, Scoffer Scoft, 96. This Jack … this Glisterpipe … this vile Suppository.
