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Definition of laudanum

laudanum

/ˈlɔːdənəm/
lau · da · num
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laudanum Lexical Profile

laudanum Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A reddish-brown alcoholic tincture prepared from opium, widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries as a sedative and painkiller.

Example

"In Victorian medical practice, doctors frequently prescribed drops of laudanum to relieve severe pain and sleeplessness."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for laudanum

• Nearby Words

laud
laudable
laudably
laudanum
lauds
laugh
laughable

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 16th century by the Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus in Neo-Latin, possibly influenced by Latin 'laudare' (to praise) or derived from 'ladanum' (a dark aromatic plant resin).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Laudanum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/laudanum
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