Dictionary

paregoric en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /pɛɹɪˈɡɔɹɪk/ (General-American)
• /pæɹɪˈɡɒɹɪk/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek παρηγορικός (parēgorikós, “soothing”), from παρηγορέω (parēgoréō, “to console, comfort”).

Meanings

1. Assuaging or soothing pain.
   • paregoric elixir

Forms

paregoric en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /pɛɹɪˈɡɔɹɪk/ (General-American)
• /pæɹɪˈɡɒɹɪk/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek παρηγορικός (parēgorikós, “soothing”), from παρηγορέω (parēgoréō, “to console, comfort”).

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A painkiller; a medicine which soothes or relieves pain; specifically the traditional patent medicine consisting of camphorated tincture of opium.
   • They bought paregoric in the drug store and drank it. They formed a drugged and stupefied line against the side of the drug store building. Studs was so helpless that Red Kelly had to take him home. 1934, James T. Farrell, chapter 16, in The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan:
   • My local doctor promises to accompany me ashore, spare no expense to obtain powerful paregorics & remain at my bedside until my recovery is compleat, even if Prophetess must leave for California without us. 2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, London: Sceptre (Hodder and Stoughton), →ISBN:

Forms

Deriveds

PG