nostrum

[ nos-truh m ]
/ ˈnɒs trəm /

noun

a medicine sold with false or exaggerated claims and with no demonstrable value; quack medicine.
a scheme, theory, device, etc., especially one to remedy social or political ills; panacea.
a medicine made by the person who recommends it.
a patent medicine.

Origin of nostrum

1595–1605; < Latin nostrum our, ours (neuter singular of noster); referring to the seller's calling the drug “our” drug

Example sentences from the Web for nostrums

British Dictionary definitions for nostrums

nostrum
/ (ˈnɒstrəm) /

noun

a patent or quack medicine
a favourite remedy, as for political or social problems

Word Origin for nostrum

C17: from Latin: our own (make), from noster our

Medical definitions for nostrums

nostrum
[ nŏstrəm ]

n.

A medicine whose effectiveness is unproved and whose ingredients are usually secret; a quack remedy.