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Nostrum: meaning, definitions and examples

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nostrum

 

[ หˆnษ’strษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medicine remedy

A nostrum is a medicine, especially one that is not considered effective, that is claimed to cure a wide variety of ailments. It is often marketed without scientific proof of efficacy and can sometimes be seen as a quack remedy.

Synonyms

cure-all, panacea, quack remedy

Examples of usage

  • The market is flooded with nostrums that promise miraculous cures.
  • People were wary of the nostrum advertised on television.
  • Many health shops sell nostrums for all sorts of ailments.
Context #2 | Noun

political solution

A nostrum can also refer to a scheme or plan that is proposed as a quick fix to a complex problem, often lacking a sound basis or effectiveness.

Synonyms

cure-all, quick fix, simplistic solution

Examples of usage

  • The politician's nostrum did little to address the underlying issues.
  • Voters were skeptical of the nostrums suggested in the campaign.
  • The proposed nostrum proved to be ineffective in practice.

Translations

Translations of the word "nostrum" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเฅเคธเฅเค–เคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะพัั‚ั€ะพะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒŽใ‚นใƒˆใƒซใƒ 

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋…ธ์ŠคํŠธ๋Ÿผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุณุชุฑู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่‡ชๅˆถ่ฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฝะพัั‚ั€ัƒะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒแƒกแƒขแƒ แƒฃแƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nostrum

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ nostrum

Etymology

The word 'nostrum' originates from the Latin noun 'nostrum', which means 'ours' and was often used to refer to 'our remedy'. The context of its use dates back to the late 16th century when it was linked to remedies sold by people claiming to be able to cure various ailments. The term increasingly took on a negative connotation as it came to represent ineffective or fraudulent medical solutions. In English usage, it was first recorded in literature in the early 17th century and has evolved to also encompass figurative meanings relating to quick fixes in various fields, such as politics and social issues. The persistence of the term reflects societal skepticism regarding unproven solutions and highlights a common tendency to seek simple answers in an increasingly complex world.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,005, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.