aspirin

[ as-per-in, -prin ]

noun

, plural as·pi·rin, as·pi·rins.

1. Pharmacology. a white, crystalline substance, C 9 H 8 O 4 , derivative of salicylic acid, used as an anti-inflammatory agent and to relieve the pain of headache, rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, etc.; acetylsalicylic acid ( def ).
2. an aspirin tablet:

   I took two aspirin and went right to bed.

aspirin

/ ˈæsprɪn /

noun

1. a white crystalline compound widely used in the form of tablets to relieve pain and fever, to reduce inflammation, and to prevent strokes. Formula: CH 3 COOC 6 H 4 COOH Chemical nameacetylsalicylic acid
2. a tablet of aspirin

aspirin

/ ăs′pər-ĭn,ăs′prĭn /

1. A white crystalline compound derived from salicylic acid and used in medicine to relieve fever and pain and as an anticoagulant. Also called acetylsalicylic acid. Chemical formula: C 9 H 8 O 4 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirin¹

First recorded in 1899; originally a German trademark, equivalent to A(cetyl) + Spir(säure) “salicylic acid” + -in noun suffix; acetyl, spirea, -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirin¹

C19: from German, from A ( cetyl ) + Spir ( säure ) spiraeic acid (modern salicylic acid) + -in ; see also spiraea

A Closer Look

Ninety percent of the population experiences at least one headache each year. The most common type is a tension headache, which is caused by stress and is characterized by tightening of the muscles in the base of the neck and along the scalp. Aspirin alleviates headaches by blocking the body's production of prostaglandins, hormones that contribute to pain by stimulating muscle contraction and blood vessel dilation. For thousands of years, people chewed the bark of willow trees to control headache and other pain. The study of the properties of this medicinal plant led German chemist Hermann Kolbe to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a building block of aspirin, in 1859. A pure form of ASA wasn't prepared until 1897, by Felix Hoffman, a chemist in the Bayer chemical factory in Germany. After publication of successful clinical trials, aspirin was distributed in powder form in 1899 and as a tablet in 1900. Aspirin possesses a number of properties that make it one of the most recommended drugs. Besides being an analgesic, or pain reliever, it also reduces inflammation that often accompanies injuries or diseases, such as arthritis. It is also an antipyretic compound, or fever reducer. Aspirin is the only over-the-counter analgesic approved for prevention of cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that aspirin may also decrease the risk of some forms of stroke. Additional studies indicate that aspirin may play a role in reducing the risks of ovarian cancer.

Example Sentences

If you’ve got tense, sore, or injured muscles, before you reach for aspirin, try some heat therapy.

From Popular-Science

Elderly people or those who regularly take other medications, including low-dose aspirin, may also have a greater chance of developing ulcers and suffering from complications, Stevoff said.

From Washington Post

I brought myself to such a totally relaxed state, without an aspirin or anything.

From Washington Post

I always carry provisions in my backpack—water, aspirin, Tylenol, power bars.

From Fortune

I did it to breathe better, to stop the peculiar aches, to chase the kids longer and play basketball without needing aspirin.

From Washington Post

I assume he turned something else into aspirin and black coffee the next morning.

From The Daily Beast

It held aspirin, Sal Hepatica, cigarette papers and a Mason jar full of tobacco.

From The Daily Beast

So, did he take over enough aspirin for hundreds of thousands of people?

From The Daily Beast

What the film does allege is that OBI may have purchased mass quantities of aspirin to ship to victims at Goma.

From The Daily Beast

If it's not covered by insurance, maybe you'll stay home, take aspirin, and live longer.

From The Daily Beast

Unable to sleep the next morning, I left John to his snoring and went for an aspirin and black coffee.

From Project Gutenberg

I do have a little headache; would you happen to have any aspirin aboard?

From Project Gutenberg

Jo loaded up with aspirin to deaden a toothache which was worrying her.

From Project Gutenberg

"Another aspirin is going to turn my luck," she thought, and therewith swallowed surreptitiously her last tabloid of the panacea.

From Project Gutenberg

She swallowed dose after dose of aspirin, until finally, with the first gray streaks of dawn, she at last fell asleep.

From Project Gutenberg

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