nostrum

nos·trum

noun \ˈnäs-trəm\

Definition of NOSTRUM

1

: a medicine of secret composition recommended by its preparer but usually without scientific proof of its effectiveness

2

: a usually questionable remedy or scheme : panacea <an audience eager to believe he had found the nostrum for all of society's ills — Warren Sloat>

Examples of NOSTRUM

1. politicians repeating all the usual nostrums about the economy
2. using garlic as a nostrum to prevent disease

Origin of NOSTRUM

Latin, neuter of noster our, ours, from nos we — more at us

First Known Use: 1602

Related to NOSTRUM

Synonyms: catholicon, elixir, cure–all, panacea, theriac

Related Words: magic bullet, silver bullet; corrective, cure, remedy; miracle drug, wonder drug

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