pastille

[ pa-steel, -stil ]

noun

1. a flavored or medicated lozenge; troche.
2. a roll or cone of paste containing aromatic substances, burned as a disinfectant or deodorant.
3. pastel for crayons.
4. a crayon made of pastel.

pastille

/ ˈpæstɪl /

noun

1. a small flavoured or medicated lozenge for chewing
2. an aromatic substance burnt to fumigate the air
3. med a small coated paper disc formerly used to estimate the dose or intensity of radiation (esp of X-rays): it changes colour when exposed
4. a variant of pastel

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastille¹

1610–20; < French < Spanish pastilla; akin to Latin pastillus lump of meal, lozenge, akin to pānis bread

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastille¹

C17: via French from Latin pastillus small loaf, from pānis bread

Example Sentences

(from his bed, suspiciously, to Culchard, who is setting fire to a small pastille in a soap-dish).

From Project Gutenberg

The pastille fizzes, and begins to emit a dense white smoke, and a suffocating odour.

From Project Gutenberg

Those mosquitoes have paid you out for that pastille—by Jove, they have!

From Project Gutenberg

The pastille produced its effect; the poet felt a sudden inspiration, left the hall and flew to compose the projected satire.

From Project Gutenberg

There was, even on the little stone staircase, a faint odour of pastille or scent spray, or something of feminine suggestion.

From Project Gutenberg