First Known Use: 1801
Dictionary
Dover's powder
noun Do·ver's powder \ˌdō-vərz-\
Definition of DOVER'S POWDER
: a powder of ipecac and opium formerly used as a pain reliever and diaphoretic
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of DOVER'S POWDER
Thomas Dover †1742 English physician
Medical Dictionary
Dover's powder
noun Do·ver's powder \ˈdō-vərz-\
Medical Definition of DOVER'S POWDER
: a powder of ipecac and opium that is now compounded in the United States with lactose and in England with potassium sulfate and that is used as an anodyne and diaphoretic
Biographical Note for DOVER'S POWDER
Do·ver \ˈdō-vər\ , Thomas (1660–1742), British physician. A pupil of the eminent physician Thomas Sydenham, Dover made the unique choice of combining a medical career with that of a buccaneer. Constantly at odds with the medical establishment, he published in 1732 a volume of his nostrums, almost all of them worthless or worse, the exception being his sole legacy—Dover's powder.
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: dove's–footPrevious Word in the Dictionary: Dover soleAll Words Near: Dover's powder
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up Dover's powder? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).