pill — a small round mass of solid medicine for swallowing whole
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a small round mass of solid medicine for swallowing whole
Pronunciation (IPA): /pɪl/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother takes so many pills, she sounds like a maraca when she walks.
- The doctor prescribed pills for my headache.
- Accepting the defeat was a hard pill to swallow for the proud team.
pill
NOUN[/pɪl/]
a small round mass of solid medicine for swallowing whole
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin pilula, meaning 'small ball.' The term originated from the pharmaceutical practice of shaping medicinal compounds into small spherical forms, which became the standard method for dispensing drugs in ancient and medieval times.
Breakdown
Latin pilula (small ball, diminutive form of pila meaning ball) → English pill. The diminutive suffix -ula was lost in the transition to English, leaving the root form pill.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother takes so many pills, she sounds like a maraca when she walks.”
“The doctor prescribed pills for my headache.”
“Accepting the defeat was a hard pill to swallow for the proud team.”
“She forgot to take her vitamin pills again this morning.”
📚Related Words
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