Pill
/pɪl/noun
A small round mass of solid medicine for swallowing.
Did you know?The word 'pill' originates from a Latin term meaning 'little ball', but its associations have long been tied to remedies and even poisons used in ancient rituals.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
pila
“a ball or pillar, often used in connection with medicine.”
Old French
Old French
pille
“a small pill or ball, typically for medicinal purposes.”
Middle English
Middle English
pille
“a small round dose of medicine.”
Modern English
English
pill
“a solid dose of medicine, typically round in shape.”