treacle /ˈtɹiː.kəl/noun 6verb 1forms 3 noun6 •(UK, Ireland) A syrupy byproduct of sugar refining; molasses or golden syrup.Didn’t you see how the cub was ashamed of the thick bread-and-butter? I dare say they’re going to have treacle if they are good. — 1848 •Cloying sentimental speech.The public tributes to Griffith were over-the-top in a way his acting never was, spreading treacle from the evening newscasts to the front page of the New York Times. — 2012 •(slang) Sweetheart (from treacle tart).Listen, treacle, this is the last time I'll warn you! •(historical) Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote. •(figurative, no longer used) Synonym of cure: an all-powerful curative for some particular affliction. •(figurative, no longer used) Synonym of cure-all: a panacea for all human ailments. verb1 •To apply treacle to a surface, so as to catch flies or moths, etc. formstreacled · treacling · treacles
