Meanings
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1
noun
a small medicated lozenge sucked to soothe the throat or release medicinal vapors
She dissolved a menthol pastille slowly to ease her sore throat.
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2
noun
a small aromatic pellet burned to perfume or fumigate a room
The nurse burned a lavender pastille to mask the hospital odor.
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3
noun
a small, usually round and flattened tablet or piece of candy
Each tin contained a row of fruit-flavored pastilles.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Etymology
Through French pastille from Latin pastillus or pastillum, 'small roll, pellet, or lozenge.' The word has long covered compressed sweets and medicines as well as fragrant pellets burned to scent the air. It is historically related to pastel and several Romance words for paste-shaped tablets.