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

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