paregoric

[par-i-gawr-ik, -gor-]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a camphorated tincture of opium, containing benzoic acid, anise oil, etc., used chiefly to stop diarrhea in children.

2. any soothing medicine; anodyne.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  assuaging pain; soothing.

paregoric

/ ˌpærəˈɡɒrɪk /

noun

1. a medicine containing opium, benzoic acid, camphor (English paregoric) or ammonia (Scottish paregoric), and anise oil, formerly widely used to relieve diarrhoea and coughing in children

Word History and Origins

Origin of paregoric¹

1675–85; < Late Latin parēgoricus < Greek parēgorikós soothing, equivalent to parḗgor ( os ) pertaining to consolatory speech (equivalent to par- par- + -ēgor-, combining form of agorā́ agora ¹ + -os adj. suffix) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of paregoric¹

C17 (meaning: relieving pain): via Late Latin from Greek parēgorikos soothing, from parēgoros relating to soothing speech, from _para- ¹ (beside, alongside of) + -ēgor-, from agoreuein to speak in assembly, from agora assembly

Example Sentences

In the end, it was as much Caroline’s charm as the paregoric that worked.

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Finally, a doctor prescribed paregoric, and as long as he had a continuous supply, Poppy found some peace.

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“Only that big? It felt like a house. Look, dear,” said Faye, “open that second drawer where my medicine is. Bring the paregoric and a piece of cotton. Will you help me pack this tooth?”

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Sometimes she carried them herself in a basket, and she always gave them a few drops of paregoric so they would keep quiet.

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At 10, she would scrape opium-based paregoric powder from old medicine bottles.

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Related Words

• medicinal 
• therapeutic