Eclegma

/ɛkˈlɛɡmə/ noun

Definition

A medicinal paste or syrupy preparation that is licked or slowly ingested, used in traditional or historical medicine.

Etymology

From Greek 'eklegma,' the same root as 'eclegm,' referring to substances meant to be licked. The form 'eclegma' is closer to the original Greek singular, while 'eclegm' is an anglicized variant.

Kelly Says

Medieval doctors were basically onto something with eclegmas—coating medicine in something you lick absorbs it slowly through the mouth, which is actually the science behind modern lozenges and throat lozenges!

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