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suppository

suppository

10 7.5
A small solid medicine you put into the rectum or vagina so it melts and enters the body
  • noun
  • /səˈpɒzɪtəri/
  • Specialized
: supositorio
  • Many parents find that using a suppository is an effective way to administer medication to children who refuse to take pills.

So she prescribed me some suppositories.

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Examples

  • One benefit of acetaminophen is that it does come in rectal suppositories for a child who cannot swallow oral medications or one who is vomiting.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Patients with sluggish bowel emptying may need assistance from a laxative regimen consisting of a stool softener and a stimulant suppository as needed.

    Academic text (2005)
  • And as for you, you may apply it as a suppository.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Garlic will likely also be put to use as a suppository.

    Blog text (20)
  • What you have there are suppositories.

  • A bowel program may also include the use of suppositories or mini enemas.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Doctor, she's taking Dulcolax suppositories, and nothing's moving.

  • If swallowing is difficult or vomiting persists, morphine can be given per rectally by suppository (same dose as PO).

    Academic text (2007)
  • For constipation relief, the doctor recommended using a suppository that would dissolve in the rectum.

  • After the procedure, the nurse inserted a suppository to ease the patient's discomfort.

Surface Forms

suppository singular
suppositories plural

Morphology

suppository = suppose (opaque) = supposit + ory

Although the combining form 'supposit-' is historically related to 'suppose', the modern meaning of 'suppository' (a medication inserted into a body cavity) cannot be derived from the common verb 'suppose' and the affix -ory is attached to a Latin stem rather than a productive English base.

Etymology

Suppository comes from Latin parts sub- 'under' and ponere 'to put', the same root you see in position. So a suppository is something 'put inside' or 'put under' the body to give medicine, which is why it is meant to be inserted into the rectum or vagina.