Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Any of several tinctures of opium, once widely used for various medical purposes and as a recreational drug.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: tincture, medicine, medication, medicament, drug
verb
To add laudanum to (a drink or the like).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To cause (a person) to be high on laudanum.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
narcotic consisting of an alcohol solution of opium or any preparation in which opium is the main ingredient
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: tincture of opium
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: opiate
History
From New Latin, from lādanum (“a gum resin”), from Ancient Greek λᾱ́δανον (lā́danon). Originally the same word as ladanum, labdanum, compare French laudanum, Italian laudano, ladano. Perhaps influenced by Latin laudō (“to praise”). See ladanum. Used by Paracelsus to refer to ladanum gum, and to a compound recipe containing pearls, but apparently not to any preparation of opium; this modern sense was introduced by his followers (Sigerist 1941:540–1).
Across languages
15 source translations are retained for this English entry.
