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

Because the Sarco uses nitrogen, a widely available gas, rather than the barbiturates that are typically used in euthanasia clinics, it does not require a physician to administer an injection or sign off on lethal drugs.

From MIT Technology Review

In 1952, a Houston lawyer filed an appeal on behalf of a 16-year-old girl who had spent nearly 200 days in isolation at the Gainesville State School after being held down by male guards and forcibly sedated with barbiturates.

From Washington Post

Then a final injection — a concentrated barbiturate — is delivered directly into the vein, which halts all brain activity.

From Washington Post

Now this new and wonderful discovery is nothing but Veronal-sodium (sodium diethyl-barbiturate) under another name.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• medication
• narcotic
• opiate
• sleeping pill