paregoric

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

/ ˌpær ɪˈgɔr ɪk, -ˈgɒr- /

Save This Word!

noun Pharmacology.

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

any soothing medicine; anodyne.

adjective

Archaic. assuaging pain; soothing.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of paregoric

1675–85; <Late Latin parēgoricus<Greek parēgorikós soothing, equivalent to parḗgor(os) pertaining to consolatory speech (equivalent to par-par- + -ēgor-, combining form of agorā́agora¹ + -os adj. suffix) + -ikos-ic

Words nearby paregoric

pardon, pardoner, Pardubice, pare, paregmenon, paregoric, pareidolia, pareira, pareira brava, paren., parenchyma

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use paregoric in a sentence

Paregoric and laudanum, medicines sometimes given to young children, are examples of dangerous drugs that contain opium.
A Civic Biology|George William Hunter
A tea-spoonful of paregoric occasionally repeated during the day will be found a most efficient soothing remedy.
The Physical Life of Woman:|Dr. George H Napheys
A small dose of Hive Syrup, or Paregoric, will also be found sometimes better than anything else.
The Matron's Manual of Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women During Pregnancy and in Childbed|Frederick Hollick
Ten drops of laudanum, or a tablespoonful of paregoric, may be used instead of the morphine if the latter is not at hand.
The Home Medical Library, Volume II (of VI)|Various

Diarrhea in adults may be checked with teaspoonful doses of paregoric given hourly in water.
The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for paregoric

paregoric

/ (ˌpærəˈɡɒrɪk) /

noun

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 Origin for paregoric

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

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

Medical definitions for paregoric

paregoric

[ păr′ə-gôr′ĭk ]

A camphorated tincture of opium, taken internally for the relief of diarrhea and intestinal pain.