First Known Use: 1676
Dictionary
calomel
noun cal·o·mel \ˈka-lə-məl, -ˌmel\
Definition of CALOMEL
: a white tasteless compound Hg2Cl2 used especially as a component of laboratory electrodes, as a fungicide, and formerly in medicine as a purgative —called also mercurous chloride
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Origin of CALOMEL
probably from New Latin *calomelas, from Greek kalos beautiful + melas black — more at melan-
Medical Dictionary
calomel
noun cal·o·mel \ˈkal-ə-məl, -ˌmel\
Medical Definition of CALOMEL
: a white tasteless compound Hg2Cl2 used especially as a fungicide and insecticide and formerly in medicine as a purgative—called also mercurous chloride
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