pills
English meaning: Pills
Definition
A small, usually round or cylindrical object designed for easy swallowing, usually containing some sort of medication.
Example
“The doctor prescribed pills to lower his blood pressure.”
Another example: “Losing the final was a bitter pill for the whole team to swallow.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Plural of 'pill', a small tablet of medication. In context (often 'the pill') it refers specifically to oral contraceptives. Also figurative ('a bitter pill to swallow'). Neutral, everyday register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'pilula' (little ball), diminutive of 'pila' (ball), via Middle Dutch, entering English in the 15th century.
Synonyms
- tablets
- capsules
- medication
Related Words
Common Collocations
- take pills
- sleeping pills
- birth control pills
- bitter pill
- pop pills
Word Forms
pill (n); pills (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B