methaqualone

American  

[muh-thak-wuh-lohn, meth-uh-kwey-lohn, -kwol-ohn] / məˈθæk wəˌloʊn, ˌmɛθ əˈkweɪ loʊn, -ˈkwɒl oʊn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a nonbarbiturate sedative-hypnotic substance, C 1 6 H 1 4 N 2 O, used to induce sleep: also widely used as an illicit drug.

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methaqualone British  

/ ˌmɛθəˈkweɪləʊn /

noun

1. a nonbarbituate sedative drug used to treat stress and insomnia. Formula: C 16 H 14 N 2 O

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Etymology

Origin of methaqualone

1960–65; meth(yl) + -a- of uncertain derivation + qu(in)a(zo)l(in)one ( see quinazoline, -one)