patent medicine
Originally popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, "patent medicines" were often marketed with grand claims despite lacking proven effectiveness.
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Definition
B2General
(historical, informal)A nonprescription medicine sold under a trademarked name, often with undisclosed ingredients and exaggerated claims.
Example
- Many people in the 19th century relied on patent medicines for various ailments.
- The patent medicine promised to cure everything from headaches to indigestion.
C1Legal
(technical, formal)A medicinal product protected by a patent, allowing exclusive rights to its manufacture and sale.
Example
- The company secured a patent for their new cough syrup, making it a patent medicine.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "patent medicine":