inhalant

[in-hey-luh nt]

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noun

a medicine, allergen, or other substance that is inhaled.

any volatile substance, as nitrous oxide, butyl nitrite, toluene, gasoline, or paint thinner, capable of being inhaled, sometimes abused for its intoxicating effect.

inhaler.

adjective

used for inhaling.

Origin of inhalant

First recorded in 1815–25; inhale + -ant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for inhalant

opiate, shot, dope, gas, soporific, analgesic, anodyne, hypnosis, inhalant, spinal, hypnotic, narcotic

Examples from the Web for inhalant

Historical Examples of inhalant

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.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine
James J. Walsh

British Dictionary definitions for inhalant

inhalant

adjective

(esp of a volatile medicinal formulation) inhaled for its soothing or therapeutic effect

inhaling

noun

an inhalant medicinal formulation

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).

inhalant in Medicine

inhalant

[ĭn-hā′lənt]

adj.

Used in or for inhaling.

n.

Something that is inhaled, especially a drug that is delivered to the respiratory passages by a nebulizer or an aerosol container.