Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives that act as central nervous system depressants and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun organic chemistry Any salt or ester of barbituric acid.
  • noun pharmacology Any of derivatives of barbituric acid that act as depressants of the central nervous system and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun organic compound having powerful soporific effect; overdose can be fatal

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[barbitur(ic acid) + –ate.]

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