Synonyms

poultice

American

[pohl-tis] / ˈpoʊl tɪs /

noun

a soft, moist mass of cloth, bread, meal, herbs, etc., applied hot as a medicament to the body.

verb (used with object)

poulticed, poulticing

to apply a poultice to.

poultice British

/ ˈpəʊltɪs /

noun

Also called: cataplasm. med a local moist and often heated application for the skin consisting of substances such as kaolin, linseed, or mustard, used to improve the circulation, treat inflamed areas, etc
slang a large sum of money, esp a debt

"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

Other Word Forms

unpoulticed adjective

Etymology

Origin of poultice

1535–45; earlier pultes, plural (taken as singular) of Latin puls (stem pult- ) thick pap. See pulse ²

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.

I was a middle-class kid from New Jersey, but like a poultice, this ancient, colonized country drew out an answering difference from my bones.

From Salon • May 27, 2024

After researchers saw Rakus applying the plant poultice to his face, the wound closed up and healed in a month.

From BBC • May 2, 2024

Dampen the stone, apply the poultice a half-inch thick, then cover it with plastic and tape down the edges.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2022

We could also apply a poultice of whatever is around.

From Washington Post • Oct. 9, 2020

‘We’ll soon have a poultice on that. Camp’s not far.’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

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