What does pastil mean?
A pastil is a small tablet, lozenge, or piece of sugar candy. In its medicinal use, the word describes a tiny solid preparation intended to dissolve slowly in the mouth, often to soothe a cough, relieve irritation, or freshen the breath. In its confectionery use, a pastil is a firm, brightly colored sweet made primarily from sugar and sometimes flavored with oils or fruit extracts. The word has a distinctly old-fashioned quality in many English-speaking regions, especially when it refers to medicine, while the candy sense remains familiar in British English and among manufacturers and retailers. The alternative spelling pastille is also common and may be used particularly in descriptions of medicinal lozenges. Although many people associate the word primarily with sweets, its historical connection to medicine is fundamental to its development.
A small tablet or lozenge, especially a medicinal preparation intended to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
"He took a cough pastil before going to bed."
This sense is formal and somewhat dated in contemporary English.
A hard, often colored sugar confection made from boiled sugar and flavored with fruit, mint, or other flavoring.
"The shop sells fruit-flavored pastils in small paper bags."
This sense is especially common in British English.
The regular plural is pastils; pastilles is also used as a variant spelling and inflected form.
"The bottle contains twenty mint pastils."
A word meaning “little bread” in Latin gradually came to mean the tiny medicinal tablets and sugar sweets familiar today.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pastil
The word entered Middle English through Old French pastel, ultimately derived from Latin pastillum, a diminutive of panis, meaning “bread.” The original sense referred to a small bread-like tablet or pill, which developed into meanings for medicinal lozenges and sugar confections. The spelling pastil reflects the older English form, while pastel and the continental form pastille reflect the same broad Latin and French lineage.
How pastil is actually used
The medicinal sense is somewhat formal or dated, while the confectionery sense is especially associated with British English. The alternative spelling pastille is also established.
Easily confused with pastil
A pastil is a small tablet, lozenge, or sugar candy, whereas a pastel is a pale or delicate color or a soft cake made with such colors.
Pastille is a variant spelling of pastil, although it is also sometimes used specifically for a medicinal lozenge.