# treacle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtɹiː.kəl/ · frequency rank #54,539

## Definitions
1. A syrupy byproduct of sugar refining; molasses or golden syrup.
2. Cloying sentimental speech.
3. Sweetheart (from treacle tart).
4. Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
5. Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
6. Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.

## Etymology
From Middle English triacle, partly from Old French triacle, and partly from Old English tyriaca, both from Late Latin *triaca, *tiriaca, late form of theriaca, ultimately from Ancient Greek θηριακή (thēriakḗ, “antidote”), feminine form of θηριακός (thēriakós, “concerning venomous beasts”), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”). Doublet of theriacle, equivalent to theriac + -le.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/treacle