barbiturate
|bar-bit-u-rate|
🇺🇸
/bɑːrˈbɪtʃuːrət/
🇬🇧
/bɑːˈbɪtjʊrət/
sedative drug class
Etymology
'barbiturate' originates from 'German', specifically the word 'Barbitursäure', where 'Barb-' is of uncertain origin and '-säure' meant 'acid'.
'Barbitursäure' was coined in German in the 19th century, and the English word 'barbiturate' was formed to refer to derivatives of barbituric acid.
Initially, it referred specifically to chemical compounds derived from barbituric acid, but over time it evolved to mean a class of sedative drugs.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a class of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, often used as sedatives or sleeping pills.
The patient was prescribed a barbiturate to help with sleep.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/06 14:58