You can refer to ideas or theories about how something should be done as nostrums, especially when you think they are old-fashioned or wrong in some way.
[formal]
...yesterday's failed socialist nostrums.
[Also + of]
Synonyms: remedy, answer, solution, cure More Synonyms of nostrum
2. countable noun
If you refer to a medicine as a nostrum, you mean that it is not effective or has not been tested in a proper scientific way.
...pills, tablets, and other nostrums claiming to be magic potions.
More Synonyms of nostrum
nostrum in British English
(ˈnɒstrəm)
noun
1.
a patent or quack medicine
2.
a favourite remedy, as for political or social problems
Word origin
C17: from Latin: our own (make), from noster our
nostrum in American English
(ˈnɑstrəm)
noun
1.
a.
a medicine prepared by the person selling it
b.
a patent medicine of a kind sold with exaggerated claims; quack medicine
2.
a pet scheme for solving some social or political problem; panacea
Word origin
L, neut. of noster, ours (< nos, we: see us): ? so called from the seller's calling it “our” remedy
Examples of 'nostrum' in a sentence
nostrum
Sentimentality and superficial nostrums must be avoided.
Christianity Today (2000)
1 (noun)
Definition
a favourite remedy
They are still peddling yesterday's failed socialist nostrums.
Synonyms
remedy
natural remedies to overcome winter infections
answer
They argue that prison is not the answer for minor offences.
solution
the ability to sort out effective solutions to practical problems
cure
There is still no cure for the common cold.
2 (noun)
Definition
a quack medicine
Supermarket shelves are lined with nostrums claiming to alleviate flu symptoms.
Synonyms
medicine
herbal medicines
drug
The drug will treat those infected.
treatment
a new treatment for eczema
cure
remedy
potion
panacea
Foreign aid shouldn't always be a panacea for natural disasters; long-term preventative measures must be developed
elixir
a magical elixir of eternal youth
cure-all
He was the first physician to use leeches as a cure-all.
patent medicine
quack medicine
specific
sovereign cure
Additional synonyms
in the sense of answer
They argue that prison is not the answer for minor offences.
Synonyms
remedy,
solution,
vindication
in the sense of cure
Definition
a means of restoring health or improving a situation
There is still no cure for the common cold.
Synonyms
remedy,
treatment,
medicine,
healing,
antidote,
corrective,
panacea,
restorative,
nostrum
in the sense of cure-all
Definition
something supposed to cure all ailments or problems
He was the first physician to use leeches as a cure-all.
Synonyms
panacea,
elixir,
nostrum,
elixir vitae,
catholicon
Nearby words of
nostrum
nostalgia
nostalgic
nostril
nostrum
not bad
not be a patch on something or someone
not exactly
Synonyms of 'nostrum'
nostrum
Explore 'nostrum' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of drug
Definition
any substance used in the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of disease
The drug will treat those infected.
Synonyms
medication,
medicine,
remedy,
panacea,
elixir,
physic,
medicament
in the sense of elixir
Definition
an imaginary substance that is supposed to be capable of prolonging life and changing base metals into gold
a magical elixir of eternal youth
Synonyms
panacea,
cure-all,
nostrum,
sovereign remedy
in the sense of panacea
Definition
a remedy for all diseases or problems
Foreign aid shouldn't always be a panacea for natural disasters; long-term preventative measures must be developed
Synonyms
cure-all,
elixir,
nostrum,
heal-all,
sovereign remedy,
universal cure,
catholicon
in the sense of solution
Definition
the act or process of solving a problem
the ability to sort out effective solutions to practical problems