barbiturate
[ bahr-bich-er-it, -uh-reyt; bahr-bi-too r-it, -eyt, -tyoo r- ]
/ bɑrˈbɪtʃ ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt; ˌbɑr bɪˈtʊər ɪt, -eɪt, -ˈtyʊər- /
noun Pharmacology.
any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives, used in medicine as sedatives and hypnotics.
Origin of barbiturate
First recorded in 1925–30;
barbitur(ic) +
-ate2
OTHER WORDS FROM barbiturate
non·bar·bit·u·rate, nounWords nearby barbiturate
barbie doll,
barbirolli,
barbital,
barbitalism,
barbitone,
barbiturate,
barbiturates,
barbituric,
barbituric acid,
barbiturism,
barbizon school
Example sentences from the Web for barbiturates
She had taken an overdose of barbiturates, whether deliberately or accidentally it was impossible to tell.
Like all barbiturates, it can overwhelm alertness to the point of stopping the urge to breathe.
His sister, Leila, was found dead in a London hotel room in 2001 after taking an overdose of barbiturates.
Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi Suicide: Tragic End to Iran's Dynasty |Stephen Kinzer |January 5, 2011 |DAILY BEASTIn July, with their adult children standing next to them, they drank a cocktail of barbiturates and sank into the deepest sleep.
British Dictionary definitions for barbiturates
barbiturate
/ (bɑːˈbɪtjʊrɪt, -ˌreɪt) /
noun
a derivative of barbituric acid, such as phenobarbital, used in medicine as a sedative, hypnotic, or anticonvulsant
Medical definitions for barbiturates
barbiturate
[ bär-bĭch′ər-ĭt, -ə-rāt′, bär′bĭ-tur′ĭt, -āt′ ]
n.
A salt or ester of barbituric acid.
Any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives that act as central nervous system depressants and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.
Scientific definitions for barbiturates
barbiturate
[ bär-bĭch′ər-ĭt ]
Any of a group of drugs that act as depressants of the central nervous system, are highly addictive, and are used primarily as sedatives and anticonvulsants. Phenobarbital and pentobarbital are examples of barbiturates.
Cultural definitions for barbiturates
barbiturates
[ (bahr-bich-uh-rits, bahr-bich-uh-rayts) ]
Substances derived from an organic compound that are used as sedatives and sleep inducers. Barbiturates, which work by depressing the activity of the central nervous system, are sometimes used in the treatment of illnesses such as epilepsy.