pill
English meaning: Pill
Definition
A small, usually round or cylindrical object designed for easy swallowing, usually containing some sort of medication.
Example
“The doctor told her to take one pill twice a day with food.”
Another example: “Many women take the pill as a reliable form of contraception.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A small tablet of medication ('take a pill'); 'the pill' specifically means the oral contraceptive. Also figurative ('a bitter pill to swallow') and slang ('a tedious person'). 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
- lozenge
- tablet
- oral contraceptive
- birth control pill
- contraceptive pill
- oral contraceptive pill
- anovulatory drug
Related Words
- contraceptive
- pills
- contraceptives
- swallow
- ibiza
- condom
- contraception
- jagged
- menstrual
- prescription
Common Collocations
- take a pill
- sleeping pill
- the pill
- bitter pill
- pop a pill
Word Forms
pill (n & v); pills (pl); pilled; pilling
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