secobarbital

[ sek-oh-bahr-bi-tawl, -tal ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of secobarbital¹

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