theriac

American  

[theer-ee-ak] / ˈθɪər iˌæk /

Also theriaca

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.

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theriac British  

/ ˈθɪərɪæk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• theriacal adjective

Etymology

Origin of theriac

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

Example Sentences

Ancient medicine looked first of all for the universal panacea and boiled theriac; contemporary medicine dissects, uses the microscope, and experiments, recognizes no panacea, accepts barely a few specifics.

From Criminal Psychology; a manual for judges, practitioners, and students by Gross, Hans Gustav Adolf

Whenever any compound was for any reason spoiled in the drug store, the rule was, "Put that aside for the theriac."

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Bernard's Theriac.—Almost in our own time another theriac came prominently before the public.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Jack of the Buttery, a name applied to p. 111Sedum acre, is said to be a corruption from bot, i.e. an internal parasite, and theriac, by which was meant a cure for that evil. 

From Springtime and Other Essays by Darwin, Francis, Sir

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

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 02 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert

Related Words

• elixir
• magic bullet