treacle
Meanings
noun
- A syrupy byproduct of sugar refining; molasses or golden syrup.
- Cloying sentimental speech.
- Sweetheart (from treacle tart).
- Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
- Synonym of cure: an all-powerful curative for some particular affliction.
- Synonym of cure-all: a panacea for all human ailments.
verb
- To apply treacle to a surface, so as to catch flies or moths, etc.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From Middle English triacle, partly from Old French triacle, and partly from Old English tyriaca, both from Late Latin *triaca, *tiriaca, late form of theriaca, ultimately from Ancient Greek θηριακή (thēriakḗ, “antidote”), feminine form of θηριακός (thēriakós, “concerning venomous beasts”), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”). Doublet of theriacle, equivalent to theriac + -le.
Synonyms
Derived words
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