aspirin
Americannoun
plural
aspirin, aspirins-
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.
-
an aspirin tablet.
I took two aspirin and went right to bed.
noun
-
Chemical name: acetylsalicylic acid. 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
-
a tablet of aspirin
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.
Etymology
Origin of aspirin
First recorded in 1899; originally a German trademark, equivalent to A(cetyl) + Spir(säure) “salicylic acid” + -in noun suffix; acetyl, spirea, -in 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tunde Olawoye is not alone in struggling, with pharmacists around Wales saying their costs have "gone through the roof", and they are now selling items such as aspirin at a loss.
From BBC
“I believe I’ll take some aspirin as soon as we get there.”
From Literature
About 50.9 million items of aspirin were prescribed in the UK between January and October last, the NPA said, making it one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the country.
From BBC
She and her dad always carried aspirin with them when they camped overnight in the mountains, just in case.
From Literature
That said, aspirin may help prevent bowel cancer returning.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
