Treacle, n. [OE. triacle a sovereign remedy, theriac, OF. triacle, F. thériaque (cf. Pr. triacla, tiriaca, Sp. & It. triaca, teriaca), L. theriaca an antidote against the bite of poisonous animals, Gr. , fr. of wild or venomous beasts, fr. qhri`on a beast, a wild beast, dim. of qh`r a beast. Cf. Theriac.].

A remedy against poison. See Theriac, 1. [1913 Webster]
"We kill the viper, and make treacle of him." [1913 Webster]
A sovereign remedy; a cure. [1913 Webster]
"Christ which is to every harm treacle." [1913 Webster]
Molasses; sometimes, specifically, the molasses which drains from the sugar-refining molds, and which is also called sugarhouse molasses. [1913 Webster]
" In the United States molasses is the common name; in England, treacle." [1913 Webster]
A saccharine fluid, consisting of the inspissated juices or decoctions of certain vegetables, as the sap of the birch, sycamore, and the like. [1913 Webster]

Treacle mustard (Bot.), a name given to several species of the cruciferous genus Erysimum, especially the Erysimum cheiranthoides, which was formerly used as an ingredient in Venice treacle, or theriac. -- Treacle water, a compound cordial prepared in different ways from a variety of ingredients, as hartshorn, roots of various plants, flowers, juices of plants, wines, etc., distilled or digested with Venice treacle. It was formerly regarded as a medicine of great virtue. Nares. -- Venice treacle. (Old Med.) Same as Theriac, 1.

top

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Treacle, n.
1 esp. Brit. a a syrup produced in refining sugar. b molasses.
2 cloying sentimentality or flattery.

Derivative

treacly adj.

Etymology

ME triacle f. OF f. L theriaca f. Gk theriake antidote against venom, fem. of theriakos (adj.) f. therion wild beast

top

THESAURUS

Treacle

albumen, ambrosia, artificial sweetener, batter, blackstrap, bonnyclabber, butter, calcium cyclamate, cane syrup, clabber, clover honey, comb honey, corn syrup, cornstarch, cream, curd, cyclamates, dough, edulcoration, egg white, gaum, gel, gelatin, glair, glop, glue, gluten, goo, gook, goop, gruel, gumbo, gunk, honey, honeycomb, honeydew, honeypot, jam, jell, jelly, loblolly, maple syrup, molasses, mucilage, mucus, nectar, pap, paste, porridge, pudding, pulp, puree, putty, rob, saccharification, saccharin, semifluid, semiliquid, size, sodium cyclamate, sorghum, soup, starch, sticky mess, sugar, sugar-making, sugaring off, sweetener, sweetening, sweets, syrup

top

ROGET THESAURUS

Treacle

Semiliquidity

N semiliquidity, stickiness, viscidity, viscosity, gummosity, glutinosity, mucosity, spissitude, crassitude, lentor, adhesiveness, inspissation, incrassation, thickening, jelly, mucilage, gelatin, gluten, carlock, fish glue, ichthyocol, ichthycolla, isinglass, mucus, phlegm, goo, pituite, lava, glair, starch, gluten, albumen, milk, cream, protein, treacle, gum, size, glue (tenacity), wax, beeswax, emulsion, soup, squash, mud, slush, slime, ooze, moisture, marsh, semifluid, semiliquid, tremellose, half melted, half frozen, milky, muddy, lacteal, lactean, lacteous, lactescent, lactiferous, emulsive, curdled, thick, succulent, uliginous, gelatinous, albuminous, mucilaginous, glutinous, glutenous, gelatin, mastic, amylaceous, ropy, clammy, clotted, viscid, viscous, sticky, tacky, gooey, slab, slabby, lentous, pituitous, mucid, muculent, mucous, gummy.

Sweetness

N sweetness, dulcitude, sugar, syrup, treacle, molasses, honey, manna, confection, confectionary, sweets, grocery, conserve, preserve, confiture, jam, julep, sugar-candy, sugar-plum, licorice, marmalade, plum, lollipop, bonbon, jujube, comfit, sweetmeat, apple butter, caramel, damson, glucose, maple sirup, maple syrup, maple sugar, mithai, sorghum, taffy, nectar, hydromel, mead, meade, metheglin, honeysuckle, liqueur, sweet wine, aperitif, sugar cane, sugar beets, desert, pastry, pie, cake, candy, ice cream, tart, puff, pudding (food), dulcification, dulcoration, sweetener, corn syrup, cane sugar, refined sugar, beet sugar, dextrose, artificial sweetener, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, Sweet'N Low, sweet, saccharine, sacchariferous, dulcet, candied, honied, luscious, lush, nectarious, melliferous, sweetened, sweet as a nut, sweet as sugar, sweet as honey, sickly sweet, eau sucr_ee, sweets to the sweet.

For further exploring for "Treacle" in Webster Dictionary Online