diethylstilbestrol

or di·eth·yl·stil·boes·trol

[ dahy-eth-uhl-stil-bes-trawl, -trol ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a nonsteroidal synthetic estrogen, C 18 H 20 O 2 , used in medicine chiefly in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and for chemical castration: formerly used during pregnancy for the prevention of miscarriage but discontinued owing to its association with an increased risk of vaginal and cervical cancers. : DES

diethylstilbestrol

/ daɪˌɛθɪlstɪlˈbɛstrɒl; -ˌiːθaɪl- /

noun

1. a synthetic hormone with oestrogenic properties, used to relieve menopausal symptoms. Formula: OHC 6 H 4 CH:CHC 6 H 4 OH Also calledstilbestrolstilboestrol

diethylstilbestrol

/ dī-ĕth′əl-stĭl-bĕs′trôl′,-trōl′ /

1. See DES

Word History and Origins

Origin of diethylstilbestrol¹

First recorded in 1935–40; di- ¹ + ethyl + stilbestrol, equivalent to stilb(ene) ( def ), estr(us), -ol ¹

Example Sentences

The legacies of drugs that were proven to be dangerous for pregnant people and their fetuses—including the anti-nausea medication thalidomide and the synthetic hormone diethylstilbestrol—after approval still loom large.

From Time