amobarbital

noun

amo·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌa-mō-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce amobarbital (audio)
: a barbiturate administered especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 as a hypnotic and sedative

Examples of amobarbital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Another bit of circumstantial evidence: Amytal, or amobarbital, an active ingredient in truth serums developed in the United States in the thirties, essentially inhibits mitochondrial respiration, supposedly rendering subjects too worn out to lie. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2021 An intravenous line was started in his arm, and amobarbital flowed into his veins … the rubber bite-guard was placed in his mouth, and a conductive gel was rubbed in the circles over his temples. Wayne Catan, idahostatesman, 30 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

amyl + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amobarbital was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near amobarbital

Cite this Entry

“Amobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amobarbital. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

amobarbital

noun
amo·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌam-ō-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce amobarbital (audio)
: a barbiturate administered especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 as a hypnotic and sedative

called also amylobarbitone

see amytal, tuinal

More from Merriam-Webster on amobarbital

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!