patent medicine
noun
Note: Patent medicine is often used to refer to a product (such as an elixir, tonic, or liniment) that was marketed as a medicine in the U.S. during the 1800s and early 1900s but was typically of unproven effectiveness and questionable safety.
Examples of patent medicine in a Sentence
Word History
1770, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near patent medicine
Cite this Entry
“Patent medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patent%20medicine. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
patent medicine
nounMedical Definition
patent medicine
nounNote: Patent medicine is often used to refer to a product (as an elixir, tonic, or liniment) that was marketed as a medicine in the U.S. during the 1800s and early 1900s but was typically of unproven effectiveness and questionable safety.
Legal Definition
patent medicine
noun
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