bromide

[broh-mahyd, broh-mid]

noun

1. Chemistry.

   1. a salt of hydrobromic acid consisting of two elements, one of which is bromine, as sodium bromide, NaBr.

   2. a compound containing bromine, as methyl bromide.

2. Pharmacology.,  potassium bromide, known to produce central nervous system depression, formerly used as a sedative.

3. a platitude or trite saying.

4. a person who is platitudinous and boring.

bromide

/ ˈbrəʊmaɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrobromic acid, containing the monovalent ion Br ^– ( bromide ion )

2. any compound containing a bromine atom, such as methyl bromide

3. a dose of sodium or potassium bromide given as a sedative

4. 1. a trite saying; platitude

   2. a dull or boring person

bromide

1. A compound, such as potassium bromide, containing bromine and another element or radical.

Other Word Forms

• subbromide noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bromide¹

First recorded in 1830–40; brom- + -ide ( def. ); bromide in defs. 3, 4 from use of some bromides as sedatives

Word History and Origins

Origin of bromide¹

C19, C20 (cliché): from _brom ( _ine ) + _-ide

Example Sentences

The letter is full of unmemorable bromides and has none of the moving language used by Reagan and other presidents.

From Salon

The bromide about teams picking the best available player rather than drafting for need does not apply to the Angels, at least not in the Perry Minasian era.

From Los Angeles Times

But Lee, wise to how the heart stutters, didn’t pander to audiences with bromides like love is love.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, she hit on other points as well, but never did she offer anything other than the bromides the Democrats have been mouthing for as long as anybody can remember.

From Salon

What rankled Didion about this turn was that it reduced the complexity of all issues to tidy bromides.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cliché