Nostrum
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈnɒs.tɹəm/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Nostrum is a noun meaning A medicine or remedy in conventional use which has not been proven to have any desirable medical effects.
Meaning
A medicine or remedy in conventional use which has not been proven to have any desirable medical effects.
More Meanings
- (by extension) An ineffective but favorite remedy for a problem, usually involving political action.
Example Sentences
Near-synonyms: paternoster, patent medicine, snake oil
Many nostrums and traditional medicaments are mentioned throughout Greek literature as aphrodisiac stimulants.
reformers of church charities [...made] known […] their different nostrums for setting Hiram's Hospital on its feet again.
In precisely the same way does a quack doctor prescribe his infallible nostrum to every patient, without taking into account differences of constitution, or [...]
Word Forms
- nostrums
- nostra
Synonyms for nostrum
Depending on context, synonyms include paternoster, snake oil, cure-all, panacea.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include cure-all, panacea, elixir, sea, mongers, pseudo-medicine.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.