Rochelle powder
- noun
- Archaic
:
polvo de Rochelle
- The doctor recommended a dose of Rochelle powder to relieve his mild constipation.
Examples
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She mixed the Rochelle powder with water to create an effervescent drink.
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In the 19th century, Rochelle powder was a popular home remedy for digestive issues.
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I bought some Rochelle powder at the pharmacy.
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Have you ever used Rochelle powder for digestion?
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The doctor recommended a dose of Rochelle powder to relieve his mild constipation.
-
In the 19th century, Rochelle powder was a popular home remedy for digestive issues.
-
She mixed the Rochelle powder with water to create an effervescent drink.
Synonyms
A powder used long ago to relieve constipation and upset stomachs
A powder that fizzes in water and makes you need to go to the toilet
Surface Forms
Morphology
Rochelle + powder
This is a product/chemical name combining the proper noun 'Rochelle' with the generic noun 'powder'; knowing 'powder' only gives the physical form and 'Rochelle' has no transparent, dictionary meaning for a B1 learner. The specific medicinal composition and laxative sense cannot be derived from the parts, so the expression is not predictable from its constituents.
Etymology
Rochelle powder was named after Rochelle salt, a kind of salt linked to the French port La Rochelle, and the powder mixed that salt with baking soda and tartaric acid. When you stir the mix in water it fizzes and makes a drink that helps the stomach move, so the name points to its use as a 'mild laxative'.
