nonoxynol-9

noun

no·​nox·​y·​nol-9 nä-ˈnäk-si-ˌnȯl-ˈnīn 

nə-,

-ˌnōl-

: a spermicide used in contraceptive products

Word History

Etymology

nonyl (the radical C₉H₁₉) + oxy- + phenol + 9 (from the fact that the compounds it contains have an average of nine ethylene oxide groups per molecule)

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nonoxynol-9

noun

no·​nox·​y·​nol-9 nä-ˈnäk-sə-ˌnōl-ˈnīn  -ˌnȯl- 

: a spermicide used in contraceptive products that consists of a mixture of compounds having the general formula C₁₅H₂₃(OCH₂CH₂)_nOH with an average of nine ethylene oxide groups per molecule