nostrum

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists
  2. noun patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin nostrum (“ours”), nominative neuter of noster (“our, ours”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

panacea, catholicon, cure-all

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