First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1dose
noun \ˈdōs\
: the amount of a medicine, drug, or vitamin that is taken at one time
: an amount of a substance
: an amount of something that a person experiences
Full Definition of DOSE
1
a : the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time b : the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an amount of something likened to a prescribed or measured quantity of medicine <a daily dose of hard work> <a dose of scandal>
4
: a gonorrheal infection
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Origin of DOSE
Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin dosis, from Greek, literally, act of giving, from didonai to give — more at date
Other Pharmacology Terms
2dose
verb
: to give a dose of medicine to (someone or something)
: to give an amount of a substance to (someone or something)
: to add something to (something)
doseddos·ing
Full Definition of DOSE
transitive verb
1
: to give a dose to; especially : to give medicine to
2
: to divide (as a medicine) into doses
3
: to treat with an application or agent
See dose defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DOSE
1654
DOSE Defined for Kids
1dose
noun \ˈdōs\
Definition of DOSE for Kids
: a measured amount to be used at one time <a dose of medicine>
2dose
verb
doseddos·ing
Definition of DOSE for Kids
: to give medicine to
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