rubbing alcohol

noun

1. a poisonous solution of about 70 percent isopropyl or denatured ethyl alcohol, usually containing a perfume oil, used chiefly in massaging.

rubbing alcohol

noun

1. a liquid usually consisting of 70 per cent denatured ethyl alcohol, used by external application as an antiseptic or rubefacient

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubbing alcohol¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

But a quick perusal shows that most of these are simple, familiar chemicals that are allowed for very specific reasons, like hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol as disinfectants for equipment.

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“Shouldn’t we dip his stub into some rubbing alcohol or something? Don’t we have ointment?”

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She says Gillicut had his ankle washed out with rubbing alcohol.

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Anyone who sees the insects is encouraged to smash them or scrape the egg masses into a container with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them.

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Pour one teaspoon of rubbing alcohol into the bottle and screw the cap back on.

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