alterative (alterativ)

and n. [ II. n. One of a group of medicines the physiological action of which is somewhat obscure, but which seem to modify the proce es of growth and repair in the various ti ues. The most important are the compounds of mercury, iodine, and arsenic. altercate (alter-kāt), v. i.; pret. and pp. alter cated, ppr. altercating. [