‖ diacodium Obs.
(daɪəˈkəʊdɪəm)
Also 6 diacodion, 8–9 diacode.
[med. and mod.L. diacōdion, -cōdium, in ancient L. diacōdīōn, from Gr. διὰ κωδειῶν (a preparation) made from poppy-heads: see dia-2. Cf. also French diacodion (16th c.), diacodium (17–18th c.), diacode (adm. by Academy 1762); the last is of rare use in English. So It. diacodione (Florio 1599), now diacodio.]
A syrup prepared from poppy-heads, used chiefly as an opiate.
| 1564–78 W. Bullein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 51 Drinke your Diacodion at night to reconcile slepe again. 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab., Diacodium, a syrup to procure sleep, made off the tops of poppy. 1695 Congreve Love for L. iii. xiii, You had best take a little Diacodion and Cowslip-Water. 1817 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XLIV. 313 His favourite medicine was a diacodium, consisting of opium administered in honey. 1820 Blackw. Mag. VII. 328 [It] puts one to sleep more effectually than a double dose of diacodium. 1829 J. Togno tr. Edwards' & Vavasseur's Mater. Med. 323 Calming Mixture..Diacode Syrup. |
Hence † diaˈcodiate n.: cf. opiate. Obs.
| 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. xiv. 488 We may sometimes use Diacodiates if the Patients strength hold out. |