medicine Any of various liquids sold as medicine (as by a travelling medicine show) but medically worthless.

Roget 670: preservation; safe-keeping; conservation etc. (storage) 636; maintenance, support, susteritation^†, conservatism; vis conservatrix^†; salvation etc. (deliverance) 672.    [Means of preservation] prophylaxis; preserver, preservative, additive; antibiotics, antifungals [Med.], biocide; hygiastics^†, hygiantics^†; cover, drugget^†; cordon sanitaire [Fr.]; canning; ensilage; tinned goods, canned goods.    [Superstitious remedies] snake oil, spider webs, cure-all; laetrile; charm etc. 993.    ... show more

Communication (written or spoken) intended to deceive.

synonym: humbug.