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Glite Dictionary
expulsive

expulsive

8.6
That forces something out
  • adjective
  • /ɪkˈspʌlsɪv/
translation icon : expulsivo
  • The medication has an expulsive effect, helping to clear the respiratory passages of mucus.

Examples

  • The expulsive nature of the volcano launched ash and rocks high into the sky.

  • Muscular ripples ran the length of its body, building to a final expulsive spasm at the tail.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • His expulsive remarks during the meeting made it clear he wanted to drive the team toward better performance.

Synonyms

eliminatory
vsexpulsive
  • Specialized
8.5

About the way the body removes waste

describes the power or function to drive something out

Surface Forms

expulsive positive

Morphology

expulsive = expel (semi-transparent) = expuls + ive

The meaning is close to 'expel', but the learned Latinate stem change to 'expuls-' makes the relationship less obvious to learners.

Etymology

Expulsive comes from the parts ex- meaning 'out' and pel meaning 'to drive', as in the common word expel which means to push something out. So expulsive describes something that has the power or action of pushing or driving things out.