Trēa'cle, n.
(trē'kl), n. [O. Fr. triacle, N. Fr. thériaque, Pr. triacla, tiriaca, Sp. triaca, teriaca, Pg. triaga, It. teriaca, Lat. theriaca, Gr. θηριακόν (sc. φάρμακον), an antidote against the bite of poisonous animals, from θηριακός, of wild or venomous beasts, from θηρίον, a beast, a wild beast.]
Sense 1. A medicinal compound of various ingredients, formerly used as a preventive of, or cure for, the effects of poison or the bites of venomous animals; a theriac. See THERIAC.
We kill the viper, and make treacle of him. Bp. Taylor.
Sense 2. A viscid, uncrystallizable sirup, which drains from the sugar-refiner's molds;—sometimes called sugar-house molasses. The word treacle is, however, often used for molasses.
Sense 3. A saccharine fluid, consisting of the inspissated juices or decoctions of certain vegetables, as the sap of the birch, sycamore, and the like.