What is "attrahent"

Attrahent \At"tra*hent\, n.

1. That which attracts, as a magnet.

   The motion of the steel to its attrahent.
   --Glanvill.

2. (Med.) A substance which, by irritating the surface, excites action in the part to which it is applied, as a blister, an epispastic, a sinapism.

Attrahent \At"tra*hent\, a. [L. attrahens, p. pr. of attrahere. See Attract, v. t.] Attracting; drawing; attractive.

"that which attracts," 1660s, from Latin attrahentem (nominative attrahens), present participle of attrahere (see attract).

a. That (l/en attract attracts); (l/en draw drawing), attracting. n. An attrahent (l/en: agent).