English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

See barbituric.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˌbɑː(ɹ)ˈbɪt͡ʃəɹɪt/, /ˌbɑː(ɹ)ˈbɪt͡ʃəɹeɪt/, /ˌbɑɹbɪˈt(j)ʊəɹɪt/, /ˌbɑɹbɪˈt(j)ʊəɹeɪt/
  • (file)
  • (US, colloquial, nonstandard) IPA(key): /ˌbɑɹˈbɪt͡ʃu.ɪt/, /ˌbɑɹˈbɪt(j)u.ɪt/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: bar‧bit‧ur‧ate

Noun edit

barbiturate (plural barbiturates)

  1. (organic chemistry) Any salt or ester of barbituric acid.
  2. (pharmacology) Any of derivatives of barbituric acid that act as depressants of the central nervous system and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.
    Synonyms: (clipping, informal) barb, (informal) barbie, (informal) goofball
    Hyponym: barbital
    Coordinate term: benzodiazepine
    • 1977, Donald R. Wesson, David Elvin Smith, Barbiturates, their use, misuse, and abuse, New York: Human Sciences Press, →ISBN, page 9:
      Following the “Summer of Love” in 1967, amphetamines and barbiturates began to replace psychedelics as the dominant drugs used in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, and increasing numbers of individuals were treated at the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic for complications following barbiturate use.

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Further reading edit