methylene blue

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a dark-green, crystalline compound, C 1 6 H 1 8 ClN 3 S, that dissolves in water to form a deep-blue solution: used chiefly as a dye, as a bacteriological and biological stain, and as an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

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methylene blue British  

noun

1. Also called: methylthionine chloride. a dark-green crystalline compound forming a blue aqueous solution, used as a mild antiseptic and biological stain. Formula: C 16 H 18 N 3 SCl.3H 2 O

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methylene blue Scientific  

1. A basic dye that forms a deep blue solution when dissolved in water. It is used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning and as a bacteriological stain. Chemical formula: C ₁₆ H ₁₈ N ₃ SCl.

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Etymology

Origin of methylene blue

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

methylene blue

To gauge the fat content of the cream brought by farmers, the dairy would insert methylene blue in a sample and waited for its lactic acid to dissolve the color.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2023

The oxidized form of methylene blue is reduced by NADH, and its reduced form is oxidized by O2.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Recent studies show the effectiveness of methylene blue in increasing the body’s metabolic rate and as a treatment for Alzheimer’s patients.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

An independent team of researchers found that, in animal models at least, methylene blue clears amyloid-β but has no effect on tau whatsoever.

From Nature ● Jul. 13, 2011

The reduction test is made by adding to twenty cubic centimeters of milk, one-half cubic centimeter of a solution of methylene blue, a coal tar dye.

From Outlines of dairy bacteriology A concise manual for the use of students in dairying by Edwin George Hastings