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

As a new school year begins in Florida this week, parents are filling out a flurry of new forms — specifying a student’s nickname or new name; allowing a child to check certain books out of the library; and opting in or out of health services ranging from counseling to temperature checks, calamine lotion and ice packs.

From New York Times

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

How to treat it: There isn’t a treatment plan other than steps you can take to relieve the itching, including using a cold compress, applying calamine lotion or bathing in baking soda or colloidal oatmeal.

From Los Angeles Times

You can use calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce or alleviate the itch.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times