blue devil

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The term "blue devil" can refer to different things depending on the context. Let's break it down in a way that's easy to understand.

Basic Definition

1. Sodium Salt of Amobarbital: In a medical context, "blue devil" is a slang term for a type of drug called a barbiturate, specifically the sodium salt of amobarbital. This drug is used as a sedative (to help people relax) and a hypnotic (to help people sleep).

2. Weed: It can also refer to a coarse, prickly European weed that has spikes of blue flowers. This plant has become naturalized in the United States, meaning it grows there even though it originally came from Europe.

Usage Instructions

• Medical Context: Use "blue devil" when discussing certain types of medications, especially in a healthcare or medical setting.
• Botanical Context: Use it when talking about plants, gardening, or nature.

Example Sentences

• Medical: "The doctor prescribed a blue devil to help the patient sleep better."
• Botanical: "In my garden, I found a blue devil that adds a splash of color with its blue flowers."

Advanced Usage

• In a medical discussion, you might say: "The blue devil has a high potential for dependency, and its use must be monitored closely."
• In a botanical discussion, you could say: "The blue devil is often mistaken for other weeds due to its prickly texture."

Word Variants

• Barbiturate: Refers to the class of drugs that includes amobarbital.
• Amobarbital: The specific drug that "blue devil" refers to.

Different Meanings

• The term can mean different things based on the context (medical vs. botanical), so it's important to understand the setting in which it is used.

Synonyms

• For the drug: "sedative", "hypnotic".
• For the weed: There may not be direct synonyms, but you can refer to it as "prickly weed" or "blue flowered plant".

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• "Under the influence": This idiom can relate to someone being affected by sedatives or other drugs.
• "Sleep like a baby": This idiom is often used to describe a deep, restful sleep, which a sedative like "blue devil" might help achieve.

Summary

"Blue devil" is a term that can refer to a specific type of drug used for sedation and sleep or a type of prickly weed with blue flowers.

Academic

Noun

1. the sodium salt of amobarbital that is used as a barbiturate; used as a sedative and a hypnotic
2. a coarse prickly European weed with spikes of blue flowers; naturalized in United States

Synonyms

• amobarbital sodium
• blue
• blue angel
• Amytal
• blueweed
• blue thistle
• viper's bugloss
• Echium vulgare