theriac

[ theer-ee-ak ]

noun

1. molasses; treacle.
2. a paste formerly used as an antidote to poison, especially snake venom, made from 60 or 70 different drugs pulverized and mixed with honey.

theriac

/ ˈθɪərɪæk /

noun

1. an ointment or potion of varying composition, used as an antidote to a poison

Other Words From

• the·ria·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of theriac¹

before 1000; < Latin thēriaca antidote to poison < Greek thēriakḗ, feminine of thēriakós, equivalent to thērí ( on ) wild beast + -akos -ac; replacing Middle English tiriake, Old English tȳriaca < Medieval Latin, variant of thēriaca

Word History and Origins

Origin of theriac¹

C14: from Latin thēriaca antidote to poison

Example Sentences

Then there is a commentary on the "Cantica of Avicenna," and a tractate on the "Theriac."

From Project Gutenberg

But we lawyers boil our theriac even nowadays and regard the most important study, the study of reality, with arrogance.

From Project Gutenberg

There he found that the most called for remedy was a theriac.

From Project Gutenberg

He is partial to long controversies, calmuniates priest and theriac.

From Project Gutenberg

Being, however, provided with theriac and other antidotes against the poison, Alvaro and all his men recovered from their wounds.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elixir
• magic bullet