attrahent

& s. [In Fr. attrayant, attirant; Port. attrahente; all from Lat. attrahens, pr. par. of attraho = to draw to or towards: ad to, and traho = to draw.] A. As adjective : Drawing to or towards. B. As substantive: 1. Gen. That which draws to or towards. "Our eyes will inform us of the motion of the steel to its attrahent ."-Glanville: Scepsis. *2. Specially . Old Med.: An external application, which was formerly supposed to draw the humours to the part of the body on whith it was put. It is now known that the action, easily excited, is that of the part itself. Sinapisms, rubefacients, ., fall under the category.