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calamine

American  
[kal-uh-mahyn, -min] / ˈkæl əˌmaɪn, -mɪn /

noun

  1. a pink, water-insoluble powder consisting of zinc oxide and about 0.5 percent ferric oxide, used in ointments, lotions, or the like, for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin.

  2. Mineralogy. hemimorphite.

  3. Chiefly British. smithsonite.


calamine British  
/ ˈkæləˌmaɪn /

noun

  1. a pink powder consisting of zinc oxide and ferric oxide, (iron(III) oxide), used medicinally in the form of soothing lotions or ointments

  2. another name for smithsonite hemimorphite

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of calamine

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin calamīna, unexplained alteration of Latin cadmia cadmium; see -ine 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

How to treat it: There isn’t a treatment plan other than steps you can take to relieve the itching, including using a cold compress, applying calamine lotion or bathing in baking soda or colloidal oatmeal.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2023

For topical relief, the American Dermatological Association recommends calamine lotion, which has cooling properties.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 24, 2023

"I see your Vicks Vaporub and will raise you an expired bottle of Caladryl calamine lotion that works like a charm," the Twitter user wrote.

From Fox News ● Sep. 14, 2021

Maybe not directly opposite for some people, but he’s as much of a comfort, at least as calamine lotion.

From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2018

I had no idea there was such a need for calamine lotion among the indigent, but that selfless act of charity will be forever embalmed on my mind.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

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