Dover's powder

noun

Do·ver's powder ˌdō-vərz-

: a powder of ipecac and opium formerly used as a pain reliever and diaphoretic

Word History

Etymology

Thomas Dover †1742 English physician

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Dover's powder was in 1801

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dover's powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dover%27s%20powder. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

Dover's powder

noun

Do·ver's powder ˈdō-vərz-

: a powder of ipecac and opium that is now compounded in the United States with lactose and in England with potassium sulfate and that is used as an anodyne and diaphoretic

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