laudanum
Laudanum (noun) means a tincture of opium once widely used as a painkiller, sedative, and recreational drug. Example: “Victorian doctors routinely prescribed laudanum for everything from toothache to insomnia.”
How to use laudanum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned opium-based medicine, mostly known today from period novels and history books.
It is not a modern medicine — laudanum was banned or tightly restricted in most countries by the early 20th century.
Word forms
laudanumed past tense, laudanums plural, laudanums singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Victorian doctors routinely prescribed _____ for everything from toothache to insomnia.
Etymology
From New Latin laudanum, ultimately from the Greek word for a fragrant resin; the spelling may also have been shaped by Latin laudo, "I praise."
Synonyms
View more →Frequently asked questions
What does “laudanum” mean?
The word “laudanum” means a tincture of opium once widely used as a painkiller, sedative, and recreational drug. In plain terms, an old-fashioned opium-based medicine, mostly known today from period novels and history books.
How do you pronounce “laudanum”?
“Laudanum” is pronounced LAW-duh-nuhm (/ˈlɔːdənəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “laudanum” in a sentence?
Here is “laudanum” used in a sentence: “Victorian doctors routinely prescribed laudanum for everything from toothache to insomnia.”
What part of speech is “laudanum”?
“Laudanum” is a noun.
Where does the word “laudanum” come from?
The word “laudanum” comes from New Latin. From New Latin laudanum, ultimately from the Greek word for a fragrant resin; the spelling may also have been shaped by Latin laudo, "I praise.".