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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of calamine

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

Example Sentences

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

To minimize the urge to scratch, Houshmand suggested first washing the affected area with tepid water and gentle soap and then applying calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream, such as 1 percent hydrocortisone.

From Washington Post • Jun. 28, 2021

I was lathered up in calamine lotion and had swallowed a bucketful of antihistamines with my morning orange juice.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda