Definition

A small cone or mass made from a mixture of aromatic substances, used to create pleasant smells or for medicinal purposes.

Example

She lit a pastil to fill the room with a soothing fragrance.

Conversation

I bought some pastil the other day for my sore throat.

Oh nice! Do they actually work?

Yeah, they really help soothe the pain.

I should get some too — I've been feeling under the weather.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pastil comes from the Old French word *pastille*, which means a small cake or lozenge, derived from the Latin *pasta*, meaning paste or dough. The word refers to a small, often medicinal, cake or tablet.

Memory Tip

Think of a small 'cake' or 'lozenge' ('pastille') that is made from 'paste' ('pasta') — that's why a pastil is a small, often medicinal tablet.

Visually Confused Words