smelling salts
noun (used with a plural verb)
a preparation for smelling, essentially of ammonium carbonate with some agreeable scent, used as a stimulant and restorative.
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
smell to high heaven, smell up, smeller, smellies, smelling bottle, smelling salts, smelly, smelt, smelter, smeltery, smetana
Origin of smelling salts
First recorded in 1830–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for smelling salts
British Dictionary definitions for smelling salts
smelling salts
pl n
a pungent preparation containing crystals of ammonium carbonate that has a stimulant action when sniffed in cases of faintness, headache, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medicine definitions for smelling salts
smelling salts
[ smĕl′ĭng ]
pl.n.
Any of various preparations of ammonium carbonate and perfume, sniffed as a restorative or stimulant especially to relieve faintness and headache.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.