patent medicine
noun
Note: Patent medicine is often used to refer to a product (such as an elixir, tonic, or liniment) that was marketed as a medicine in the U.S. during the 1800s and early 1900s but was typically of unproven effectiveness and questionable safety.
Examples of patent medicine in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patent medicine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
1770, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near patent medicine
Cite this Entry
“Patent medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patent%20medicine. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
patent medicine
nounMedical Definition
patent medicine
nounNote: Patent medicine is often used to refer to a product (as an elixir, tonic, or liniment) that was marketed as a medicine in the U.S. during the 1800s and early 1900s but was typically of unproven effectiveness and questionable safety.
Legal Definition
patent medicine
noun
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