nostrum English · revision 1378

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈnɒs.tɹəm/ ''(UK)''; /ˈnɑ.stɹəm/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|nostrum|t=our, ours]], the neuter of ''noster'' “our”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from ''nōs'' “we”,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) presumably from a phrase such as ''nostrum remedium'' “our remedy”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) as the seller called it.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A medicine prepared by the person recommending it, especially a quack remedy (1602).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The name implied that the medicine was the seller's own secret preparation.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)^(RHWU) From 1749 it was extended to a pet scheme or favourite remedy for social or political ills.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1602 – a quack medicine.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1706 – ''nostrum-monger''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1749 – a pet scheme or favourite remedy.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A medicine of secret composition whose effectiveness is unproven; a [[quack]] remedy.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A favourite but questionable remedy or scheme for some problem; a [[panacea]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}