emetic

Everyday

1. (medicine) A medicine or substance that makes a person vomit (be sick). tree →
2. Making someone sick, as an adjective. tree →

In the lessons

In medicine and history, emetics were once used against poisoning, but doctors now rarely use them; in safety lessons, never make someone sick after swallowing poison unless a doctor says so; in stories, an emetic may appear in old medicine; phrases: «an emetic drug».

Examples

• In the old days, doctors gave an emetic to poison victims. tree →
• Salty water was once used as an emetic. tree →
• The vet gave the dog an emetic after it ate chocolate. tree →
• Some plants are emetic and make animals sick. tree →
• Today, doctors rarely use emetics. tree →
• If someone swallows something poisonous, call for help at once. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Pronounced e-MET-ik. Safety: do not make yourself or others sick after swallowing poison; ring the emergency number or a poison helpline.