thalidomide
[ thuh-lid-uh-mahyd ]
/ θəˈlɪd əˌmaɪd /
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noun
a crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C13H10N2O4, formerly used as a sedative: if taken during pregnancy, it may cause severe abnormalities in the limbs of the fetus.
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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of thalidomide
1955–60; (ph)thal(im)ido(glutari)mide, equivalent to phthalimide (phthal(ic) + imide) + -o- + glutarimide (glut(en) + (tart)ar(ic) + imide)
Words nearby thalidomide
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for thalidomide
He came to Strasbourg, France, to witness the free speech argument in Harry Evans's landmark thalidomide case.
British Dictionary definitions for thalidomide
thalidomide
/ (θəˈlɪdəˌmaɪd) /
noun
- a synthetic drug formerly used as a sedative and hypnotic but withdrawn from the market when found to cause abnormalities in developing fetuses. Formula: C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4
- (as modifier)a thalidomide baby
Word Origin for thalidomide
C20: from thallic + -id- (from imide) + imide
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
Medical definitions for thalidomide
thalidomide
[ thə-lĭd′ə-mīd′ ]
n.
A sedative and hypnotic drug that was withdrawn from sale after it was found to cause severe birth defects when taken during pregnancy.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for thalidomide
thalidomide
[ thə-lĭd′ə-mīd′ ]
A drug used to treat leprosy. It was previously prescribed to treat nausea during early pregnancy, but was found to cause severe birth defects, including stunting or absence of the limbs. Chemical formula: C13H10N2O4.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for thalidomide
thalidomide
[ (thuh-lid-uh-meyed) ]
A sedative drug that was developed and used in Europe in the 1960s. Thalidomide was taken off the market when it became evident that it caused severe birth defects in babies born to women who had used the drug during pregnancy.
notes for thalidomide
References to thalidomide are often made when illustrating the dangers of using drugs whose side effects are not well known.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.