paregoric

noun

par·​e·​go·​ric ˌper-ə-ˈgȯr-ik How to pronounce paregoric (audio)
-ˈgär-,
ˌpa-rə-
: camphorated tincture of opium used especially to relieve pain

Examples of paregoric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Parents have always been overwhelmed by babies crying from teething and have used some truly awful, dangerous methods to stop the pain such as drinking alcohol, paregoric (a strong opioid), and now benzocaine. Philly.com, 7 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

French parégorique mitigating pain, from Late Latin paregoricus, from Greek parēgorikos, from parēgorein to talk over, soothe, from para- + agora assembly, from ageirein to gather

First Known Use

circa 1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paregoric was circa 1827

Dictionary Entries Near paregoric

Cite this Entry

“Paregoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paregoric. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

paregoric

noun
par·​e·​go·​ric ˌpar-ə-ˈgȯr-ik How to pronounce paregoric (audio)
-ˈgōr-,
-ˈgär-
: a liquid mixture of opium and camphor in alcohol used especially to relieve pain

Medical Definition

paregoric

noun
par·​e·​go·​ric ˌpar-ə-ˈgȯr-ik, -ˈgōr-, -ˈgär- How to pronounce paregoric (audio)
: camphorated tincture of opium used especially to relieve pain

More from Merriam-Webster on paregoric

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!