calomel

noun

cal·​o·​mel ˈka-lə-məl 

-ˌmel

: 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

Examples of calomel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the Civil War, the new surgeon general, William Hammond, thought calomel too dangerous and banned its use in 1863. —Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

In the Age of Sail, mercury was used on ships to treat fever, scurvy, constipation, and more, often in the form of calomel, or mercurous chloride. —Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

In California alone, there have been over 60 poisonings in the last nine years linked to foreign-brand, unlabeled or homemade skin creams that contained a less toxic form of mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel, the statement said. —NBC News, 12 Sep. 2019

Over the last nine years, there have been over 60 poisonings linked to a foreign brand, unlabeled, or homemade skin creams that contained toxic chemicals like mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel in California. —Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 12 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin *calomelas, from Greek kalos beautiful + melas black — more at melano-

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

calomel

noun

cal·​o·​mel ˈkal-ə-məl 

-ˌmel

: a white tasteless chemical compound of mercury and chlorine that is used especially as a fungicide

Medical Definition

calomel

noun

cal·​o·​mel ˈkal-ə-məl, -ˌmel 

: a white tasteless compound Hg₂Cl₂ used especially as a fungicide and insecticide and formerly in medicine as a purgative

called also mercurous chloride