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pill1

Pronunciation: /pɪl/

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Definition of pill

noun

  • 1a small round mass of solid medicine for swallowing whole: an overdose of sleeping pills
  • (the pill) an oral contraceptive in pill form:is she on the pill?
  • 2 informal, dated a tedious or unpleasant person.
  • 3 informal, dated (in some sports) a humorous term for a ball.

Phrases

a bitter pill (to swallow)

an unpleasant or painful necessity (to accept).

sugar (or sweeten) the pill

make an unpleasant or painful necessity more palatable.

Origin:

late Middle English: ultimately from Latin pilula 'little ball', diminutive of pila; compare with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German pille

pill in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pill in the US English dictionary

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