cathartic

Etymology

Learned borrowing from New Latin catharticus, from Ancient Greek καθαρτικός (kathartikós).

adj

1. Purgative; inducing mental or physical catharsis.
   Shaving, my favorite activity, is very cathartic.
2. That which releases emotional tension, especially after an overwhelming experience.

noun

1. (medicine) A laxative.
   The disease was regarded as pneumonia so far advanced that suppuration seemed to have supervened; bleeding, blisters, expectorants, and cathartics diminished the symptoms; the pulse continued frequent, hard, full, but always regular. 1833, R. J. Bertin, translated by Charles W. Chauncy, Treatise on the Diseases of the Heart, and Great Vessels, Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Blnachard, page 165