treacle

[ tree-kuhl ]

noun

1. contrived or unrestrained sentimentality:

   a movie plot of the most shameless treacle.

2. British.
   1. molasses, especially that which is drained from the vats used in sugar refining.
   2. Also called golden syrup. a mild mixture of molasses, corn syrup, etc., used in cooking or as a table syrup.
3. Pharmacology, Obsolete. any of various medicinal compounds, formerly used as antidotes for poison.

treacle

/ ˈtriːkəl /

noun

1. Also calledblack treacle a dark viscous syrup obtained during the refining of sugar
2. another name for golden syrup
3. anything sweet and cloying
4. obsolete.
   any of various preparations used as an antidote to poisoning

Derived Forms

• ˈtreacliness, noun
• ˈtreacly, adjective

Other Words From

• trea·cly [tree, -klee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of treacle¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, variant of triacle “antidote,” from Middle French, Old French, from Latin thēriaca, from Greek thēriakḗ, noun use of feminine of thēriakós “concerning wild beasts,” equivalent to thērí(on) “wild beast” ( thḗr “wild beast” + -ion diminutive suffix) + -akos -ac

Word History and Origins

Origin of treacle¹

C14: from Old French triacle , from Latin thēriaca antidote to poison

Example Sentences

You crave one more moment to wrap things up, but sometimes it’s better to leave us wanting more, avoiding the treacle and focusing on the heart — and the humor — of the matter.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Hudson said that talking to the government about the issue had been like "going through treacle".

From BBC

There was even a moment in the match when Walker's burst of speed down the right made Zouma look like he was running in treacle.

From BBC

He was the one who saved it because apparently mine was treacle.

From Los Angeles Times

But the lime changes things, adding sour to the sweet, tart to the treacle and a dash of pucker to the saccharine.

From Seattle Times