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pastil

pastil

9.3
A small sweet tablet that dissolves in the mouth to soothe sore throats and coughs
  • noun
  • /ˈpæstɪl/
  • UK
translation icon : pastilla
  • He sucked on a honey-flavored pastil during the lecture to keep from coughing.

Examples

  • The pharmacist recommended a pastil to ease my sore throat.

  • Always keep a packet of pastils handy when you have a cold.

  • I took a pastil for my sore throat.

  • She always carries pastils in her bag.

  • He sucked on a honey-flavored pastil during the lecture to keep from coughing.

  • The pharmacist recommended a pastil to ease my sore throat.

  • Always keep a packet of pastils handy when you have a cold.

Synonyms

lozenge
vspastil
14 5.4

A small sweet tablet with medicine that dissolves slowly in the mouth to soothe a sore throat

is focused on throat and cough relief rather than also soothing the mouth
cough drop
vspastil
  • US
12 1.7

A small sweet with medicine that helps a sore throat and stops coughing

is described more generally as a dissolving medicated tablet rather than only cough suppression
pastille
vspastil
1 7.6

A sweet with medicine that you let melt in your mouth to soothe a sore throat or ease a cough

is described as often sweetened rather than simply medicated
troche
vspastil
  • Specialized
9.9

A small medicated lozenge that dissolves in the mouth to soothe the throat

is mainly aimed at soothing throat and cough rather than delivering medication

How Soothing

cough drop
  • US
12 1.7
pastil
  • UK
9.3
lozenge
14 5.4

Surface Forms

pastil singular
pastils plural

Etymology

Pastil comes from French pastille and Medieval Latin pastillus, which meant 'little paste' or 'small cake' and comes from pasta meaning 'dough' or 'paste', like the English word paste. So think of a pastil as a tiny 'paste' or sweet you hold in your mouth to soothe a sore throat.