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Webster 1913 Edition

Calomel

Cal′o-mel

(kăl′ō̍-mĕl)
,
Noun.
[Gr.
καλόσ
beautiful +
μέλασ
black. So called from its being white, though made from a black mixture of mercury and corrosive sublimate. Cf. F.
calomélas
.]
(Chem.)
Mild chloride of mercury,
Hg2Cl2
, a heavy, white or yellowish white substance, insoluble and tasteless, much used in medicine as a mercurial and purgative; mercurous chloride. It occurs native as the mineral
horn quicksilver
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Calomel

CALOMEL

,
Noun.
A preparation of mercury, much used in medicine. It is called the submuriate or protochloride of mercury, and is prepared in various ways, by sublimation or precipitation, and also in the dry way. The following are the directions given in the last London Pharmacopoeia. Take of muriated quicksilver one pound, and of purified quicksilver, nine ounces; rub them together till the globules disappear; then sublime, and repeat the sublimation twice more successively.

Definition 2024

calomel

calomel

English

Noun

calomel ‎(countable and uncountable, plural calomels)

  1. (inorganic chemistry) mercurous chloride Hg2Cl2, formerly used as a laxative and disinfectant and to treat syphilis
    • 1859, Charles Dickens, The Haunted House
      “Where am I?” said the little spectre, in a pathetic voice. “And why was I born in the Calomel days, and why did I have all that Calomel given me?”

Translations

Derived terms

French

Noun

calomel m ‎(usually uncountable, plural calomels)

  1. (inorganic chemistry) calomel

Etymology

From French calomel.

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