bar ‧ bi ‧ tu ‧ rate /bɑːˈbɪtʃərət, bɑːˈbɪtʃʊrət $ bɑːrˈbɪtʃərət, -reɪt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: barbituric acid type of acid (19-21 centuries) , from German barbitursäure , from Barbara female name + säure 'acid' ]
a powerful drug that makes people calm and helps them to sleep