pabulum

[ pab-yuh-luhm ]

noun

1. something that nourishes an animal or vegetable organism; food; nutriment.
2. material for intellectual nourishment.
3. pablum ( def 2 ).

pabulum

/ ˈpæbjʊləm /

noun

1. food
2. food for thought, esp when bland or dull

Word History and Origins

Origin of pabulum¹

1670–80; < Latin pābulum food, nourishment, equivalent to pā ( scere ) to feed (akin to food ) + -bulum noun suffix of instrument

Word History and Origins

Origin of pabulum¹

C17: from Latin, from pascere to feed

Example Sentences

Such unromantic literature as Acts of Parliament had not, it may be supposed, up to this, formed part of my mental pabulum.

From Project Gutenberg

I know, speaking for myself, I feel much better after perusing a column that might have supplied the pabulum of a sermon.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, the daily papers furnished pabulum for the general curiosity and kept the interest as to the outcome on the increase.

From Project Gutenberg

The operatic pabulum in England consisted of the works of Balfe and Wallace.

From Project Gutenberg

Has he no desire to furnish a nourishing pabulum and a healthful inspiration to the mind of his country?

From Project Gutenberg