pill

Definition

A small, usually round or cylindrical object designed for easy swallowing, usually containing some sort of medication.

Etymology

* From Middle English pille (also pillem), a borrowing from Middle Low German pille or Middle Dutch pille (whence Dutch pil), probably from Latin pila, pilula. * (persuade or convince): Generalized from red pill.

Example Sentences

• "Take two pills every hour in the apyrexia of intermittent fever, until eight are taken."
• "Jane went on the pill when she left for college."
• "She got pregnant one month after going off the pill."