Definition

Amobarbital is a type of medication known as a barbiturate. It is used to help people sleep or to calm them down. It works by affecting the brain to produce a relaxing effect.

Example

The doctor prescribed amobarbital to help the patient sleep.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of amobarbital?

Yeah, I think it's used as a sedative, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how it helps people sleep.

I read it's been around for a long time, too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Amobarbital is formed from "amino-" (meaning containing an amino group) and "barbital" (a derivative of barbituric acid, which is derived from the Latin word "barbita", meaning beard, referring to the structure of the compound). The word refers to a specific barbiturate that contains an amino group, used as a sedative and hypnotic.

Memory Tip

Think of 'amino' as something that contains an amino group, and 'barbital' as a type of sedative. This helps you remember that amobarbital is a sedative that contains an amino group.

Visually Confused Words