Theriac

//ˈθɪriˌæk// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Synonym of theriacal: of or related to theriac.
  2. 2
    Synonym of medicinal. obsolete
Noun
  1. 1
    A universal antidote against all poisons, particularly medicines considered to derive from a recipe of the Roman physician Andromachus and representing an improvement on mithridate. countable, historical, uncountable

    "This excellent triacle Methridatum is nexte in qualitye and virtue to Theriaca... but onely Theriaca is a little hotter and stronger againste venyme of Snakes."

  2. 2
    A hyponym of panacea. countable, figuratively, uncountable
  3. 3
    Synonym of antidote, particularly (pseudoscience) those incorporating snakemeat to cure snakebite. archaic, countable, uncountable

    "...ane half vnce of guid auld theriac..."

  4. 4
    Synonym of molasses. countable, obsolete, uncountable

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Medieval Latin theriacum, from Ancient Greek θηριακὸν (thēriakòn) and Late Latin theriaca, from Ancient Greek θηριακὴ (thēriakḕ, “of or related to poisonous reptiles”), from θηρίον (thēríon, “little beast”) + -κός (-kós), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”) + -ίον (-íon, diminutive suffix). Doublet of theriaca.

Etymology 2

From Medieval Latin theriacum, from Ancient Greek θηριακὸν (thēriakòn) and Late Latin theriaca, from Ancient Greek θηριακὴ (thēriakḕ, “of or related to poisonous reptiles”), from θηρίον (thēríon, “little beast”) + -κός (-kós), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”) + -ίον (-íon, diminutive suffix). Doublet of theriaca.

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