bolus

noun bo·lus \ˈbō-ləs\

plural bo·lus·es

Definition of BOLUS

: a rounded mass: as

a : a large pill

b : a soft mass of chewed food

a : a dose of a substance (as a drug) given intravenously

b : a large dose of a substance given by injection for the purpose of rapidly achieving the needed therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream

Origin of BOLUS

Late Latin, from Greek bōlos lump

First Known Use: 1562

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

Rhymes with BOLUS

solus, snowless, toeless

Medical Dictionary

bolus

noun bo·lus \ˈbō-ləs\

plural bo·lus·es

Medical Definition of BOLUS

: a rounded mass: as a : a large pill b : a soft mass of chewed food

a : a dose of a substance (as a drug) given intravenously b : a large dose of a substance given by injection for the purpose of rapidly achieving the needed therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream <the patient receives a bolus dose to reach the minimum effective analgesic concentration—J. F. Camp> <subcutaneous injection of a premeal bolus of fast-acting insulin>