calamine

American  

[kal-uh-mahyn, -min] / ˈkæl əˌmaɪn, -mɪn /

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.

---

calamine British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of calamine

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023

You will wish you had a medical degree on those nights when a rash shows up and you have no idea whether you should rush to the emergency room or pull out the calamine lotion.

From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2019

Thankfully, it can be treated with common rash remedies, such as calamine lotion.

From Fox News • Nov. 1, 2018

I had no idea there was such a need for calamine lotion among the indigent, but that selfless act of charity will be forever embalmed on my mind.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool