thimerosal

[ thahy-mur-uh-sal, -mer- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a cream-colored, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C 9 H 9 HgNaO 2 S, used chiefly as an antiseptic.

thimerosal

/ θaɪˈmɛrəˌsæl /

noun

1. a creamy white crystalline compound of mercury, used in solution as an antiseptic. Formula: C 9 H 9 HgNaO 2 S

Word History and Origins

Origin of thimerosal¹

1945–50; perhaps thi- + mer(cury) + -o- + sal(icylate)

Word History and Origins

Origin of thimerosal¹

C20: from thio- + mer ( cury ) + sal ( icylate )

Example Sentences

There were no studies showing ANY ill effects from thimerosal, but the government told vaccine-makers to stop including it in certain vaccines for fear that parents would stop vaccinating kids.

From FiveThirtyEight

Sure, I can counsel concerned parents that none of the childhood vaccines I will be administering contain thimerosal.

From The Daily Beast

The possible link between thimerosal and autism has been investigated and found not to exist in study after study after study.

From The Daily Beast

There are always common-sense precautions to take when getting vaccinated, such as requesting a Thimerosal-free version.

From The Daily Beast

One of the ingredients in thimerosal is mercury, a known toxin.

From The Daily Beast

Clearly, something other than thimerosal is to blame for this troubling trend.

From The Daily Beast