treacle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   British term for molasses; cloying sentimentality

   She drizzled treacle over the warm sponge pudding.

Simplified etymology

Treacle entered Middle English through Old French triacle from Greek thēriakē, “antidote against venom,” itself derived from thērion, “wild beast.” It first denoted a many-ingredient ointment used against venom, then a remedy more generally. Through association with the sugar syrup used to make medicines palatable, it acquired its modern syrup sense at the end of the 17th century.

From Middle English triacle ('antidote, remedy'), from Old French triacle, from Latin theriaca, from Ancient Greek theriake ('antidote against venom'), from therion ('wild beast, venomous animal'); the sense shifted via medicinal syrup to its modern 'molasses' meaning.

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