pilule

pill, tablet

noun pee-LOOL Less Common

Origin: Latin pilula (little ball)

Usage Note

Pilule refers to any pill or tablet, but la pilule (with the definite article) is the idiomatic term for the contraceptive pill. The expression avaler la pilule means to swallow a bitter pill (accept something unpleasant). Un comprimé is the more clinical synonym for tablet.

Examples

"Elle prend une pilule chaque matin."

Natural Translation

She takes a pill every morning.

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