secobarbital

American  

[sek-oh-bahr-bi-tawl, -tal] / ˌsɛk oʊˈbɑr bɪˌtɔl, -ˌtæl /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, odorless, slightly bitter powder, C 1 2 H 1 8 N 2 O 3 , used as a sedative and hypnotic.

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Etymology

Origin of secobarbital

First recorded in 1950–55; Seco(nal) + barbital

Example Sentences

He gave the FBI the layout of the apartment Hampton shared with Njeri and slipped the sedative secobarbital in Hampton’s drink so he wouldn’t wake up during the police raid and assassination.

From Los Angeles Times

In late December, a friend picked up a prescription for 100 tablets of the powerful sedative secobarbital.

From Seattle Times

Patients can request a prescription for the lethal medicine, typically secobarbital, from their physician if they have six months or less to live.

From Los Angeles Times

The end-of-life prescription typically consists of the drug secobarbital, commonly sold under the brand name Seconal, or a cocktail of other drugs that, when combined, perform the same function.

From Washington Times

The Berkeley Law Death Penalty Clinic, which opposes executions, says amobarbital and secobarbital have never been used in executions.

From Seattle Times