barbiturate

[ bahr-bich-er-it, -uh-reyt; bahr-bi-toor-it, -eyt, -tyoor- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives, used in medicine as sedatives and hypnotics.

barbiturate

/ -ˌreɪt; bɑːˈbɪtjʊrɪt /

noun

1. a derivative of barbituric acid, such as phenobarbital, used in medicine as a sedative, hypnotic, or anticonvulsant

barbiturate

/ bär-bĭch′ər-ĭt /

1. Any of a group of drugs that act as depressants of the central nervous system, are highly addictive, and are used primarily as sedatives and anticonvulsants. Phenobarbital and pentobarbital are examples of barbiturates.

Other Words From

• nonbar·bitu·rate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbiturate¹

First recorded in 1925–30; barbitur(ic) + -ate ²

Example Sentences

Next came Jimi Hendrix, a guitarist extraordinaire who overdosed on barbiturates in 1970.

From Los Angeles Times

The cause of death was ruled to be acute barbiturate poisoning.

From Reuters

Ure died from an accidental overdose of alcohol and barbiturates in 1975, and Shaw died of a heart attack three years later.

From New York Times

In extreme cases, they just use the barbiturate to quickly end the horse’s pain and life.

From Los Angeles Times

How can you walk away when there's a woman in the hospital on barbiturates?

From Scientific American

Related Words

• medication
• narcotic
• opiate
• sleeping pill