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inhalant

[in-hey-luh nt]
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noun
  1. a medicine, allergen, or other substance that is inhaled.
  2. any volatile substance, as nitrous oxide, butyl nitrite, toluene, gasoline, or paint thinner, capable of being inhaled, sometimes abused for its intoxicating effect.
  3. inhaler.
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adjective
  1. used for inhaling.
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Origin of inhalant

First recorded in 1815–25; inhale + -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for inhalant

Historical Examples

  • For consumption he provided an inhalant; for rheumatic conditions, a liniment.

    Health Through Will Power

    James J. Walsh

  • One method employed by Ugo da Lucca consisted of the use of an inhalant.

British Dictionary definitions for inhalant

inhalant

adjective
  1. (esp of a volatile medicinal formulation) inhaled for its soothing or therapeutic effect
  2. inhaling
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noun
  1. an inhalant medicinal formulation
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inhalant

1825 (adj.), c.1830 (n.)., from Latin inhalantem, present participle of inhalare (see inhale).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
inhalant in Medicine

inhalant

(ĭn-hā′lənt)
adj.
  1. Used in or for inhaling.
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n.
  1. Something that is inhaled, especially a drug that is delivered to the respiratory passages by a nebulizer or an aerosol container.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.