treacle

Meaning

Noun

1. (Ireland, UK, countable, uncountable) A syrupy byproduct of sugar refining; molasses or golden syrup.
2. (countable, uncountable) Cloying sentimental speech.
3. (Cockney, countable, slang, uncountable) Sweetheart (from treacle tart).
4. (countable, historical, uncountable) Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
5. (broadly, countable, figuratively, historical, obsolete, uncountable) Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
6. (broadly, countable, figuratively, historical, obsolete, uncountable) Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.

Verb

To apply treacle to a surface, so as to catch flies or moths, etc.

Synonyms

molasses

syrup

golden syrup

glop

mush

slop

sugariness

sirup

sugar syrup

julep

sorghum

theriaca

and ghee

flattery

Translations

mélasse

Melasse

melassa

melaza

melaço

Sirup

melasse

σιρόπι

panzehir

stroop

suikerstroop

melado

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtɹiː.kəl/

Etymology

From Middle English triacle, partly from Old French triacle, and partly from Old English tyriaca, both from Late Latin *triaca, *tiriaca, late form of theriaca, ultimately from Ancient Greek θηριακή (thēriakḗ, “antidote”), feminine form of θηριακός (thēriakós, “concerning venomous beasts”), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”). Doublet of theriacle, equivalent to theriac + -le.