paregoric

[ par-i-gawr-ik, -gor- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a camphorated tincture of opium, containing benzoic acid, anise oil, etc., used chiefly to stop diarrhea in children.
2. any soothing medicine; anodyne.

adjective

1. Archaic. assuaging pain; soothing.

paregoric

/ ˌpærəˈɡɒrɪk /

noun

1. a medicine containing opium, benzoic acid, camphor (English paregoric) or ammonia (Scottish paregoric), and anise oil, formerly widely used to relieve diarrhoea and coughing in children

Word History and Origins

Origin of paregoric¹

1675–85; < Late Latin parēgoricus < Greek parēgorikós soothing, equivalent to parḗgor ( os ) pertaining to consolatory speech (equivalent to par- par- + -ēgor-, combining form of agorā́ agora ¹ + -os adj. suffix) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of paregoric¹

C17 (meaning: relieving pain): via Late Latin from Greek parēgorikos soothing, from parēgoros relating to soothing speech, from para- ¹(beside, alongside of) + -ēgor-, from agoreuein to speak in assembly, from agora assembly

Example Sentences

Its diction has the casual artfulness of pre-distressed denim: the “flan-colored Bentley,” the “drool of freezing rain,” Dad bowlegging around the house like “a gunslinger high on good paregoric.”

From New York Times

She laced each liberally with paregoric.

From Literature

In the end, it was as much Caroline’s charm as the paregoric that worked.

From Literature

Finally, a doctor prescribed paregoric, and as long as he had a continuous supply, Poppy found some peace.

From Literature

Dad saw that Poppy had all the paregoric he wanted.

From Literature

Related Words

• medicinal
• therapeutic