I. ˈtrēkəl noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English triacle, from Middle French triacle, tiriacle, from Latin theriaca, from Greek thēriakē antidote against a poisonous bite, from feminine of thēriakos of a wild animal, from thērion wild animal, poisonous animal, diminutive of thēr wild animal — more at fierce
1.
a. : a medicinal compound formerly in wide use as a remedy against poison — compare theriaca 1
b. archaic : something resembling treacle in being a remedy
2. chiefly Britain
a. : molasses
b. : a blend of molasses, invert sugar, and corn syrup used as a table syrup — called also golden syrup
3. : something (as a tone of voice, manner, or compliment) resembling treacle in being heavily sweet and cloying
collapsing at the close in a treacle of hideous sentimentality — Dial
II. transitive verb
( treacled ; treacled ; treacling -k(ə)liŋ ; treacles )
: to smear, spread, or sweeten with treacle
treacled the paper and attached it to the window — P.G.Wodehouse