Antiemetic
/ˌæn.ti.ɪˈmet.ɪk/noun
A drug or substance used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.
Did you know?The “emetic” part comes from Ancient Greek ἐμεῖν, meaning “to vomit,” while anti- comes from a Greek word meaning “against” or “opposite.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁em-
“A reconstructed root associated with vomiting or forceful expulsion”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐμεῖν (emein)
“To vomit”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐμετικός (emetikos)
“Causing vomiting; emetic”
17th Century
English
emetic
“A substance that induces vomiting”
19th Century
English
antiemetic
“Counteracting vomiting or nausea”
Modern English
English
antiemetic
“A medicine used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting”