treacle
noun
- any uncrystallized syrup made during the refining of sugar
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈtɹiː.kəl/ / /ˈtɹiː.ku/ / /ˈtɹiː.kɯ/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English triacle, partly from Old French triacle, and partly from Old English tyriaca, both from Late Latin *triaca, *tiriaca, late form of theriaca, ultimately from Ancient Greek θηριακή (thēriakḗ, “antidote”), feminine form of θηριακός (thēriakós, “concerning venomous beasts”), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”). Doublet of theriacle, equivalent to theriac + -le.
- A syrupy byproduct of sugar refining; molasses or golden syrup.
“Didn’t you see how the cub was ashamed of the thick bread-and-butter? I dare say they’re going to have treacle if they are good.”
- Cloying sentimental speech.
“The public tributes to Griffith were over-the-top in a way his acting never was, spreading treacle from the evening newscasts to the front page of the New York Times.”
- Sweetheart (from treacle tart).
“Listen, treacle, this is the last time I'll warn you!”
- Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
“CHEWING-BALLS, a kind of balls made of aſafœtida, liver of antimony, bay-wood, juniper-wood, and pellitory of Spain; which being dried in the ſun, and wrapped in a linen-cloth, are tied to the bit of the bridle for the horſe to chew: they create an appetite; and it is ſaid, that balls of Venice treacle may be uſed in the ſame manner with good ſucceſs.”
- Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
- Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English triacle, partly from Old French triacle, and partly from Old English tyriaca, both from Late Latin *triaca, *tiriaca, late form of theriaca, ultimately from Ancient Greek θηριακή (thēriakḗ, “antidote”), feminine form of θηριακός (thēriakós, “concerning venomous beasts”), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”). Doublet of theriacle, equivalent to theriac + -le.
- To apply treacle to a surface, so as to catch flies or moths, etc.