castor oil

castor oil

 [kas´ter]

a fixed oil obtained from the seed of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis); now used primarily as a topical emollient. When taken internally it acts as a powerful cathartic; because of its strength, other agents are now preferred for treatment of digestive disorders.

cas·tor oil

(kas'ter oyl),

A fixed oil expressed from the seeds of Ricinus communis (family Euphorbiaceae); a purgative.

castor oil

n.

A colorless or pale yellowish oil extracted from the seeds of the castor-oil plant, used pharmaceutically as a laxative and skin softener and industrially as a lubricant.

castor oil

An oil cold-pressed from the kernel of Ricinus communis seeds, which contains glycerides of ricinoleic and isoricinoleic acids—e.g., dihydroxystearin, isoricinolein, palmitin and triricinolein; it has been used externally as an emollient and internally as a laxative.

castor oil

An oil cold-pressed from the kernel of Ricinus communis seeds, which contains glycerides of ricinoleic and isoricinoleic acids–eg, dihydroxystearin, isoricinolein, palmitin, and triricinolein; it has been used externally as an emollient and internally as a laxative. See Castor bean, Ricin.

cas·tor oil

(kas'tŏr oyl)

Fatty oil from castor beans used as a cathartic or lubricant.

castor oil

An oil derived from the poisonous seeds of the plant, Ricinus communis and formerly used to treat CONSTIPATION.