methaqualone

American

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

noun

Pharmacology.

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.

methaqualone British

/ ˌmɛθəˈkweɪləʊn /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of methaqualone

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In her reporting, Ms. Cameron observed an epidemic of green nail polish and other “Cabaret”-inspired behaviors in Beltway bars, and slyly reviewed a new party drug, methaqualone.

From New York Times

The DEA was onto Seal for a long time before securing an indictment against him in March 1983 on several counts, including conspiracy to distribute methaqualone and possession with intent to distribute Quaaludes.

From Time

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023