Laudanum

Laudanum is the term applied to a tincture of opium (q.v.), i.e. a liquid extract of this drug by means of alcohol. The word was formerly used for various preparations, but is now restricted to the above tincture. It is very largely employed as an opiate and anodyne, being the most general form of opium extract. It has a brownish-red colour and characteristic odour, with a peculiar woody taste.