Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cathartic” come from?

Cathartic comes from Ancient Greek κάθαρσις, derived from Ancient Greek καθαίρω, from Ancient Greek καθαρός meaning pure or clean.

cathartic (English): Purgative; inducing catharsis; That releases...

Definitions

  1. Purgative; inducing catharsis; That releases...

Ancestry of “cathartic”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchcathartiquecathartic
2New Latincatharticus—
3Ancient Greekκαθαρτικόςof or fit for cleansing or purifying; promoting...
4Ancient Greekκᾰθαίρωto cleanse, to purify

Words derived from “cathartic”

  • cathartically
  • anticathartic
  • cathartine
  • uncathartic
  • hemocathartic
Every word from Ancient Greek κᾰθαίρω →