noun
laudanum
LAWD-uh-num/ˈlɔːdənəm/
An alcoholic solution of opium formerly used as medicine.
The apothecary prepares laudanum by mixing opium tincture with alcohol.
Etymology
Latin laudanum named Paracelsus’s medicinal mixture, whose effectiveness probably came from opium. Its name may derive from “to praise” or a word for gum resin; it soon denoted any alcoholic tincture of opium.
In context
The most popular way of consuming opiates by far was a drink called laudanum…
Mr. Petersen we know died of an overdose of laudanum, which was a pain medication at that time.
More examples
- Doctors once prescribed laudanum for pain and sleeplessness.
- The antique bottle still has a faded laudanum label.
- Because it contained opium, laudanum could cause dependence.