calamine

[ kal-uh-mahyn, -min ]

noun

1. a pink, water-insoluble powder consisting of zinc oxide and about 0.5 percent ferric oxide, used in ointments, lotions, or the like, for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin.
2. Mineralogy. hemimorphite.
3. Chiefly British. smithsonite ( def ).

calamine

/ ˈkæləˌmaɪn /

noun

1. a pink powder consisting of zinc oxide and ferric oxide, (iron(III) oxide), used medicinally in the form of soothing lotions or ointments
2. another name for smithsonite hemimorphite

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamine¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin calamīna, unexplained alteration of Latin cadmia cadmium; -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamine¹

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin calamīna, from Latin cadmīa; see cadmium

Example Sentences

How to treat it: As with poison oak rash, use a cold compress, apply calamine lotion or bathe in baking soda or colloidal oatmeal to relive itching symptoms.

From Los Angeles Times

For topical relief, the American Dermatological Association recommends calamine lotion, which has cooling properties.

From Seattle Times

I was lathered up in calamine lotion and had swallowed a bucketful of antihistamines with my morning orange juice.

From Literature

To minimize the urge to scratch, Houshmand suggested first washing the affected area with tepid water and gentle soap and then applying calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream, such as 1 percent hydrocortisone.

From Washington Post

There’s no specific treatment for the rash, other than remedies like calamine lotion, the department said.

From New York Times