curative
Meaning
having the ability to cure or heal disease
something that cures or heals, such as a medicine or treatment
Structure
Usage
the spa is famous for the curative properties of its mineral waters.
the new drug showed strong curative effects in clinical trials.
in earlier centuries, people often traveled long distances seeking a curative for various ailments.
Etymology
the word 'curative' traces its lineage directly to the latin noun 'cura', which encompassed the ideas of care, concern, and, significantly, medical treatment. the suffix '-ative', derived from latin '-ativus', is attached to form adjectives indicating a tendency or function. thus, the literal construction 'cur-ative' means 'having the function of care or healing'. this etymological logic is perfectly preserved in the modern english meaning, which specifically denotes something with the power to cure illness, moving from the general concept of 'care' to the specialized medical sense of 'healing'.
Analysis
cur is from latin 'cura', meaning 'care, concern, healing'. ative is a suffix of latin origin (-ativus) used to form adjectives meaning 'of, relating to, or tending to'.