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pill

verb (1)
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\ ˈpil How to pronounce pill (audio) \
pilled; pilling; pills

Definition of pill

 (Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

dialectal, chiefly England : to come off in flakes or scales : peel

transitive verb

1 archaic : to subject to depredation or extortion
2 dialect : to peel or strip off

pill

noun

Definition of pill (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b often capitalized : birth control pill —usually used with the
2 : something repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
3 : something resembling a pill in size or shape
4 : a disagreeable or tiresome person

pill

verb (2)
pilled; pilling; pills

Definition of pill (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to dose with pills
2 : blackball

intransitive verb

: to become rough with or mat into little balls brushed woolens often pill
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Synonyms for pill

Synonyms: Noun

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Examples of pill in a Sentence

Noun She took a pill for her headache. The drug is available as a pill or a liquid.

First Known Use of pill

Verb (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1736, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for pill

Verb (1)

Middle English pilen, pillen, partly from Old English pilian to peel, partly from Anglo-French piler to rob

Noun

Middle English pylle, from Anglo-French pile & Middle Dutch pille, both ultimately from Latin pilula, from diminutive of pila ball

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Time Traveler for pill

Time Traveler

The first known use of pill was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pill. Accessed 31 Mar. 2020.

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More Definitions for pill

pill

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pill

: a small, rounded object that you swallow and that contains medicine, vitamins, etc.
: a pill that a woman takes so that she will not become pregnant : a contraceptive in pill form
US, informal : an annoying person

See the full definition for pill in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pill

noun
\ ˈpil How to pronounce pill (audio) \

Kids Definition of pill

: medicine or a food supplement in the form of a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole

pill

noun
\ ˈpil How to pronounce pill (audio) \

Medical Definition of pill

1 : a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
2 often capitalized : birth control pill —usually used with the has been on the pill for three years

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More from Merriam-Webster on pill

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pill

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pill

Spanish Central: Translation of pill

Nglish: Translation of pill for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pill for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pill

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