What does pastille mean?
A pastille is a small, usually medicated or flavoured tablet designed to be sucked or chewed, providing relief from throat irritation, coughs, or other oral discomforts. Pastilles can be found in various flavours and are often used as a convenient and soothing solution for minor throat issues. They come in different forms and can be medicated with ingredients such as menthol, eucalyptus, or honey. The term is commonly used in British and US English, and pastilles are widely available in pharmacies and supermarkets. They are a popular remedy for people of all ages, offering quick and easy relief from throat discomfort.
nounA pastille is a small medicated or flavoured tablet, often sucked or chewed, used to relieve throat irritation or coughs. It can also refer to a small sweet or lozenge.
- A small medicated tablet for relieving throat irritation.
- A small sweet or flavoured tablet.
"She popped a pastille into her mouth to soothe her sore throat."
"The doctor prescribed pastilles to help with the cough."
"She enjoyed the fruit-flavoured pastilles as a sweet treat."
The plural form 'pastilles' is used when referring to multiple tablets.
"The box contained several pastilles in different flavours."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pastille
The word 'pastille' originates from the French 'pastille', which is derived from the Latin 'pastillus', meaning 'a small roll or ball'. This Latin term is itself related to 'panis', meaning 'bread'. The word has evolved over time to refer specifically to small medicated or flavoured tablets used for soothing throat irritation.
How pastille is actually used
The term 'pastille' is often used interchangeably with 'lozenge', although lozenges can be larger and may have different properties. Pastilles are typically smaller and more specifically designed for soothing throat irritation.