potassium bromide

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, KBr, having a bitter saline taste: used chiefly in the manufacture of photographic papers and plates, in engraving, and in medicine as a sedative.

potassium bromide

noun

1. a white crystalline soluble substance with a bitter saline taste used in making photographic papers and plates and in medicine as a sedative. Formula: KBr

Word History and Origins

Origin of potassium bromide¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to potassium bromide as an additive to flour.

From New York Times

Hayden carefully removed a microgram portion of the substance inside and mixed it with a potassium bromide solution.

From Washington Post

Some bromide salts, notably potassium bromide, were found to be natural sedatives, and were prescribed in the 19th Century as a remedy for epilepsy.

From BBC

The next two drugs, vecuronium bromide, which stops breathing, and potassium bromide, which stops the heart, were the administered.

From New York Times

If there is much irritability or fretfulness, or any premonition of eclampsia, it should be associated with potassium bromide.

From Project Gutenberg