Seconal
Noun: 1. A barbiturate drug: Seconal is the trade name for a specific barbiturate compound (secobarbital sodium). It is a central nervous system depressant. 2. A sedative and anticonvulsant: It is used medically for sedation and to treat convulsions. Historically, it was also used as a short-acting hypnotic to induce sleep.
- Seconal is used as a proper noun, typically capitalized, as it is a trademarked brand name.
- It is often followed by the word "sodium" (Seconal sodium) to specify the salt form used in medicine.
- It is generally used in medical, pharmacological, or historical contexts.
- The physician prescribed Seconal for preoperative sedation.
- Seconal sodium is a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence.
- In mid-20th century literature, a character might be described as taking Seconal to sleep.
- "Second": In informal or historical slang, "Second" (pronounced like the ordinal number) is sometimes used to refer to a Seconal capsule.
- The old jazz musician was known to take a "Second" to come down after a gig.
- Secobarbital (n): The generic, non-proprietary name for the drug marketed as Seconal.
- Barbiturate (n): The class of drugs to which Seconal belongs.
- Hypnotic (n): A type of sleep-inducing drug; a descriptive term for Seconal's former primary use.
- Sedative (n): A substance that promotes calm or reduces anxiety; one of Seconal's uses.
- Secobarbital
- (General Class): Barbiturate, sedative-hypnotic, depressant
While "Seconal" specifically refers to the brand-name drug, its meaning is virtually inseparable from its generic counterpart, secobarbital. Its primary meanings are: 1. The specific pharmaceutical product: Emphasizes the branded medication. 2. The drug substance itself: Used interchangeably with "secobarbital" to denote the chemical compound and its effects.
Seconal is a powerful drug with a high risk of addiction and overdose. Its medical use has declined significantly in favor of safer medications. This explanation is for linguistic and educational purposes only.
- barbiturate that is a white odorless slightly bitter powder (trade name Seconal) used as a sodium salt for sedation and to treat convulsions