pill

pill · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small round mass of solid medicine to be swallowed whole.

  2. 2.

    (the pill) An oral contraceptive.

  3. 3.

    (informal) An annoying or disagreeable person.

Forms

plural: pills

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    a bitter pill to swallow — Something unpleasant that must be accepted.
  • •
    sugar the pill — To make something unpleasant more acceptable.

Related words

See also: capsule, medicine, tablet
Synonyms: capsule, medication, tablet

Etymology

From Latin pilula ("small ball, globule"), diminutive of pila ("ball").