barbiturate

barbiturate definition - medical

bar·bi·tu·rate (bär-bĭchˈər-ĭt, -ə-rātˌ, bärˌbĭ-to͝orˈĭt, -ātˌ)

noun
  1. A salt or ester of barbituric acid.
  2. Any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives that act as central nervous system depressants and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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