opodeldoc
/ˌɒpə(ʊ)ˈdɛldɒk/(also opadilldock, opedildoc, opedildock)
noun
An alcoholic solution of soap (or oleic acid) and camphor with some added essential oils; soap liniment; (also) a preparation made from this, especially by mixing with laudanum; now archaic. In extended use: ( United States regional ) any medicine; alcohol.
- Steer's opodeldoc noun a soap liniment composed of soap, camphor, oils of marjoram and rosemary, alcohol, and ammonia solution. Opodeldoc appeared in the 1722 Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia (Pharmacopoeia Coll. Reg. Medicorum Edinburgensis 134) as Unguentum opodeldoch; in the 1744 ed. (Pharmacopoeia Coll. Reg. Medicorum Edinburgensis 121) it is called ‘Balsamum Saponaceum, vulgò Oppodeltoch’, and in 1745 the London Pharmacopoeia (Plan New London Pharmacopoeia 113) entered it under Linimentum Saponaceum..
Origin
Mid 17th century (in an earlier sense). From post-classical Latin oppodeltoch, probably coined by Paracelsus; perhaps from ancient Greek ὀπός vegetable juice; for the ending, perhaps compare post-classical Latin nostoch.