Linctus
/ˈlɪŋ(k)təs/noun
A medicinal syrup or liquid preparation taken by licking, especially to soothe a cough.
Did you know?Linctus entered English through Latin medical usage, and its root is the same ancient source behind English words like *lick* and *leche*, all tied to the act of lapping or licking.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leik-
“to lick or leave a mark by licking”
Old English
English
liccian
“to lick”
Latin
Latin
lingere
“to lick”
Late Latin
Latin
linctus
“licked; a medicinal preparation taken by licking”
Modern English
English
linctus
“a syrupy medicine taken by licking”