Barbiturate

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌbɑː(ɹ)ˈbɪt͡ʃəɹɪt/

Definitions

1. A type of medication that depresses the central nervous system, commonly used to manage anxiety or induce sleep, while being a derivative of barbituric acid
2. This class of drug functions primarily as a central nervous system depressant, with applications for treating insomnia and anxiety as well as being derived from barbituric acid
3. A drug derived from barbituric acid that slows brain activity to promote sedation and reduce anxiety

Etymology: The name is built from "barbituric," the adjective for barbituric acid, plus the suffix "-ate." In chemistry, "-ate" typically marks a salt or ester of an acid, so the name points to a family of compounds derived from that parent acid rather than to one specific drug. English borrowed the term from German, where "Barbiturat" follows the same pattern. The medications that carry the name act on the central nervous system and have long been used to calm anxiety or induce sleep.

Synonyms: sedative, tranquilizer, hypnotic, depressant, anxiolytic

Antonyms: stimulant, energizer, activator, excitant, uplifter