treacle

Etymology

From Middle English triacle, partly from Old French triacle, and partly from Old English tiriaca, both from Late Latin *triaca, *tiriaca, late form of theriaca, ultimately from Ancient Greek θηριακή (thēriakḗ, “antidote”), feminine form of θηριακός (thēriakós, “concerning venomous beasts”), from θήρ (thḗr, “beast”). Compare theriac, theriacle.

noun

1. (chiefly Britain) A syrupy byproduct of sugar refining; molasses or golden syrup.
2. 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. July 22, 2012, Frank Rich, “Mayberry R.I.P.”, in New York
3. (Cockney rhyming slang) Sweetheart (from treacle tart).
   Listen, treacle, this is the last time I'll warn you!
4. (obsolete) Synonym of theriac: an antidote for poison, especially snakebite; a supposedly universal antidote.
   CHEWING-BALLS, a kind of balls made of aſafœtida, liver of antimony, bay-wood, juniper-wood, and pellitory of Spain; which being dried in the ſun, and wrapped in a linen-cloth, are tied to the bit of the bridle for the horſe to chew: they create an appetite; and it is ſaid, that balls of Venice treacle may be uſed in the ſame manner with good ſucceſs. 1771, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1st ed., volume II, page 183
5. (obsolete, figurative) Synonym of cure: an all-powerful curative for some particular affliction.
6. (obsolete, figurative) Synonym of cure-all: a panacea for all human ailments.

verb

1. To apply treacle to a surface, so as to catch flies or moths, etc.