aspirin

[as-per-in, -prin]

noun

plural

aspirin, aspirins 

1. Pharmacology.,  a white, crystalline substance, C 9 H 8 O 4 , derivative of salicylic acid, used as an anti-inflammatory agent and to relieve the pain of headache, rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, etc.; acetylsalicylic acid.

2. an aspirin tablet.

   I took two aspirin and went right to bed.

aspirin

/ ˈæsprɪn /

noun

1. Chemical name: acetylsalicylic acid. a white crystalline compound widely used in the form of tablets to relieve pain and fever, to reduce inflammation, and to prevent strokes. Formula: CH 3 COOC 6 H 4 COOH

2. a tablet of aspirin

aspirin

1. A white crystalline compound derived from salicylic acid and used in medicine to relieve fever and pain and as an anticoagulant. Also called acetylsalicylic acid. Chemical formula: C ₉ H ₈ O ₄ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirin¹

First recorded in 1899; originally a German trademark, equivalent to A(cetyl) + Spir(säure) “salicylic acid” + -in noun suffix; acetyl, spirea, -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirin¹

C19: from German, from A ( cetyl ) + Spir ( säure ) spiraeic acid (modern salicylic acid) + _-in ; see also _spiraea

A Closer Look

Ninety percent of the population experiences at least one headache each year. The most common type is a tension headache, which is caused by stress and is characterized by tightening of the muscles in the base of the neck and along the scalp. Aspirin alleviates headaches by blocking the body's production of prostaglandins, hormones that contribute to pain by stimulating muscle contraction and blood vessel dilation. For thousands of years, people chewed the bark of willow trees to control headache and other pain. The study of the properties of this medicinal plant led German chemist Hermann Kolbe to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a building block of aspirin, in 1859. A pure form of ASA wasn't prepared until 1897, by Felix Hoffman, a chemist in the Bayer chemical factory in Germany. After publication of successful clinical trials, aspirin was distributed in powder form in 1899 and as a tablet in 1900. Aspirin possesses a number of properties that make it one of the most recommended drugs. Besides being an analgesic, or pain reliever, it also reduces inflammation that often accompanies injuries or diseases, such as arthritis. It is also an antipyretic compound, or fever reducer. Aspirin is the only over-the-counter analgesic approved for prevention of cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that aspirin may also decrease the risk of some forms of stroke. Additional studies indicate that aspirin may play a role in reducing the risks of ovarian cancer.

Example Sentences

Fever is often treated with antipyretic medications, including ibuprofen and aspirin.

Read more on Science Daily

Penelope offered to go out for ice, a bottle of aspirin, a doctor, anything at all —but Madame insisted that Penelope not leave her side.

Read more on Literature

“He has a fever of 101. I’ve been giving him Robitussin, Tylenol, aspirin, everything. But nothing works, and he’s getting worse.”

Read more on Literature

Anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin can endanger the fetus.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The hand issue, it said, was linked to the aspirin he takes as part of a "standard" cardiovascular health program.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• drug 
• medicine 
• morphine 
• ointment 
• opiate 
• sedative 
• tranquilizer