iodine
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)
- a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; used especially in medicine and photography and in dyes; occurs naturally only in combination in small quantities (as in sea water or rocks)Synonyms: iodinIatomic number 53Type of chemical element, halogenKinds iodine-131, iodine-125Substance of seawater, saltwater
- a tincture consisting of a solution of iodine in ethyl alcohol; applied topically to wounds as an antisepticSynonyms: tincture of iodineType of tincture, antiseptic
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Gr. ἰώδης violetlike; ἴον a violet + εἶδος form: cf. F. iode, iodine. The name was given from the violet color of its vapor. See Violet, Idyl.
Chemistry A nonmetallic element, of the halogen group of atomic number 53, occurring always in combination, as in the iodides. When isolated it is in the form of dark gray metallic scales, resembling plumbago, soft but brittle, and emitting a chlorinelike odor. Symbol I. Atomic weight 126.90. If heated, iodine volatilizes in beautiful violet vapors.
☞ Iodine was formerly obtained from the ashes of seaweed (kelp or varec), but is now also extracted from certain natural brines. In the free state, iodine, even in very minute quantities, colors starch blue. Iodine and its compounds are largely used in medicine (as in liniments, antisyphilitics, etc.), in photography, in the preparation of aniline dyes, and as an indicator in titration.
Iodine green, an artificial green dyestuff, consisting of an iodine derivative of rosaniline; — called also night green. — Iodine scarlet, a pigment of an intense scarlet color, consisting of mercuric iodide. — Iodine yellow, a brilliant yellow pigment, consisting of plumbic iodide.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54