treacle definition - Dictionary

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treacle

trea·cle [ trk'l ]

noun

Definition:

1. something cloying: something cloying or excessively sentimental

2. former antidote to poison: a preparation used in the past as an antidote to poison

3. U.K. food
Same as molasses (sense 1)

[14th century. Via Old French triacle, Latin theriaca< Greek thēriakē (antidotos) "(antidote to) poisonous animals" < thērion "wild or poisonous animal" < thēr "wild animal"]

Word History


	Treacle retained its original meaning of "antidote" when it came into English, but it later gradually broadened out into "medicine," and the practice of disguising the unpleasant taste of medicine with sugar syrup led in the 17th century to its application to "molasses."