laudanum

[ lawd-n-uhm, lawd-nuhm ]

noun

1. a tincture of opium.
2. Obsolete. any preparation in which opium is the chief ingredient.

laudanum

/ ˈlɔːdənəm /

noun

1. a tincture of opium
2. (formerly) any medicine of which opium was the main ingredient

Word History and Origins

Origin of laudanum¹

1595–1605; originally Medieval Latin variant of ladanum; arbitrarily used by Paracelsus to name a remedy based on opium

Word History and Origins

Origin of laudanum¹

C16: New Latin, name chosen by Paracelsus for a preparation probably containing opium, perhaps based on labdanum

Example Sentences

An hour later, I heard he was dead: that on his way to his home he had purchased a bottle of laudanum and swallowed the contents!

From Project Gutenberg

Glancing out I saw one of the calves investigating a bed of poppies as if meditating a dose of laudanum to induce sleepfulness.

From Project Gutenberg

Do not put laudanum or other remedies into the ear, other than are herein suggested, without your physician's knowledge.

From Project Gutenberg

Paregoric and laudanum, medicines sometimes given to young children, are examples of dangerous drugs that contain opium.

From Project Gutenberg

This note and a laudanum bottle were beside her when, next morning, she was found lying dead.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anesthetic
• dope
• hard drug
• heroin
• merchandise
• opiate
• opium
• painkiller
• sedative
• tranquilizer