epicerastic

epicerastic

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐπικεραστικός (epikerastikós), from ἐπικεραννύναι (epikerannúnai, “to temper”).

Adjective

epicerastic (comparative more epicerastic, superlative most epicerastic)

1. (obsolete, rare) Relieving the harshness or bitterness of certain bodily humours; (loosely), soothing, emollient.
   • 1763, A New and Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, 2nd edition, vol. II, p. 1099:

     Epicerastic medicines obtund the acrimony of the humours, and mitigate the uneasy sensation thence arising.

   • 1856, Lady Emmeline Stuart-Wortley, The Sweet South, volume II, page 359:

     Actually the aged dame (partly, perhaps, that she was quite tired with her own violence) listened to my various epicerastic expressions, showed herself amenable to counsel, and replied in very courteous tones.

Noun

epicerastic (plural epicerastics)

1. (rare, obsolete) A medicine or herb having such an effect.
   • 1736, John Quincy, Lexicon Physico-Medicum, 5th edition, p. 146:

     Epicerastick […] is a Medicine that assuages and corrects sharp Humours.

   • 1853, Francis Campbell, A Commentary on the Influence which the Use of Tobacco exerts on the Human Constitution, page 120:

     In a medicinal point of view it may be considered as an inferior sort of epicerastic.