bolus

[ boh-luhs ]

noun

, plural bo·lus·es.

1. Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine. a round mass of medicinal material, larger than an ordinary pill. : bol.
2. a soft, roundish mass or lump, especially of chewed food.
3. bole ².

bolus

/ ˈbəʊləs /

noun

1. a small round soft mass, esp of chewed food
2. an intravenous injection of a single dose of a drug over a short period
3. obsolete.
   a large pill or tablet used in veterinary and clinical medicine
4. another word for bole 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolus¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin bōlus clod of earth < Greek bôlos clod, lump; bole ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolus¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek bōlos clod, lump

Example Sentences

Some of the brain waves these organoids produced are reminiscent of a brain having a seizure, in which a bolus of electrical activity scrambles normal brain business.

From Science News

But whatever $54 million antibiotic the bolus of cash might produce will itself become useless after a year or a decade.

From The Daily Beast

Experience is the grand spiritual Doctor; and with him Teufelsdrockh has now been long a patient, swallowing many a bitter bolus.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor shall I tarry at the palace for the physician, but go straight on without bolus, simples or pills, a very Mercury for speed.

From Project Gutenberg

Ordered a bolus with rhubarb and calomel, to be taken in the morning, and ℥ii.

From Project Gutenberg

Nature, tenderest of leeches,—no bolus of hers is pleasanter medicament than her ruddy strawberries.

From Project Gutenberg

As she had often done in her late illness, Zenobia opened her mouth at the word of command, and swallowed the infernal bolus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dose
• medicine
• tablet