[a. L. elatērium, ad. Gr. ἐλατήριον an opening medicine, f. ἐλα- stem of ἐλαύνειν to drive. Senses 3 and 4 are due to ELATER1.]

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  † 1.  A purgative medicine. Obs.0

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1721–1800.  in Bailey.

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  2.  A sediment or precipitate from the juice of the Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium agreste, Momordica Elaterium), having a bitter acrid taste, and acting as a drastic purgative and emetic. Also called English Elaterium, to distinguish it from French Elaterium, a much less active preparation, produced by evaporation of the juice.

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1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, III. xl. 373. Elaterium … driueth foorth by siege grosse fleme.

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1657.  Phys. Dict., Elaterium … is good against the dropsie.

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1684.  trans. Willis’ Pharmaceutice Rat., 41. Other purging Medicins, as Jalap, Colycinthis, Elaterium … consist of sharp particles.

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1790.  W. Buchan, Dom. Med., 551. If two grains of white vitriol, and the same quantity of elaterium, be dissolved in half an ounce of marjoram-water, [etc.].

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1831.  J. Davies, Manual Mat. Med., 22. The elaterium … contains a principle sui generis, and a bitter substance almost inert by itself.

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1866.  Treas. Bot., I. 437/1. So powerful is pure elaterium, that one eighth part of a grain is sufficient to produce strong cathartic effects.

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  † 3.  Elasticity, springiness (spec. of the air): = ELATER1, ELATERY. Obs.

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1708.  in Kersey.

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1721–1800.  in Bailey.

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1775.  in Ash.

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  4.  Used by Richard for the fruit of the Euphorbiaceæ, which opens elastically when ripe.

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