treacle
noun
called also golden syrup
Did you know?
Treacle begins in ancient Greece. The Greek word thēriakos, meaning "of a wild animal," came from thērion ("wild animal"). Since wild animals are often known to bite, these words gave rise to thēriakē, meaning "antidote against a poisonous bite." Latin borrowed thēriakē as theriaca. Those roots gave life to treacle referring to molasses (developing from the "antidote" sense). The "molasses" sense was extended to things excessively sweet or sentimental.
Example Sentences
Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 Some treacle and toast and licorice midpalate, and orange sorbet on the finish. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 22 May 2022 Mid palate is a meld of treacle and black cherries. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 3 July 2022 Quite lovely, as was this entire cast, with Anna Marie Abbate provided just enough edge to cut the treacle. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2022 Creamy in the mouth, with raspberries on the attack, then mint and treacle and prunes mid palate. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021 Mirth mingles with melancholy; as Buddy’s gently bickering grandparents, Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench hit just the right notes of treacle and vinegar. Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2021 The top-note is aromatic and savory, hinting at a vintage solera wine; herbal notes of fenugreek leaf and parsley float above a very light suggestion of liquorice, with some treacle toffee in the base. Emily Price, Forbes, 4 May 2021 This approximately two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc blend includes commanding and ebullient but dense and rich aromas of rich ripe red cherries, plums, blueberries, figs and treacle. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 10 May 2021 See More Word History
Middle English triacle, from Anglo-French, from Latin theriaca, from Greek thēriakē antidote against a poisonous bite, from feminine of thēriakos of a wild animal, from thērion wild animal, diminutive of thēr wild animal — more at fierce
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Medical Definition
treacle
noun