suppository
UK /səˈpɒzɪtəɹi/ · US /səˈpɑzɪˌtɔɹi/ noun
Forms suppositories
- noun (medicine) A medicine in the form of a small plug that is inserted into a bodily cavity, especially the rectum, vagina or urethra, where it melts at body temperature. “rectal suppository”
Etymology
From Middle English suppositorie, from Anglo-Norman, from Medieval Latin suppositōrium, from Late Latin, neuter of suppositōrius (“placed beneath”), from Latin suppōnō (“to put under”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A pill or bolus for introduction into the rectum; esp., a cylinder or cone of medicated cacao butter.
Etymology [LL. suppositorium, fr. L. suppositorius that is placed underneath: cf. F. suppositoire. See Supposition.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “suppository”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details