Main Entry: bar·bi·tu·rate

Pronunciation: \bär-ˈbich-ə-rət, -ˌrāt; ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət, -ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌāt\

Function: noun

1 : a salt or ester of barbituric acid
2 : any of various derivatives of barbituric acid (as phenobarbital) that are used especially as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics and are often addictive