iodine

American

[ahy-uh-dahyn, -din, ahy-uh-deen] / ˈaɪ əˌdaɪn, -dɪn, ˈaɪ əˌdin /

Sometimes iodin

noun

Chemistry.

a nonmetallic halogen element occurring at ordinary temperatures as a grayish-black crystalline solid that sublimes to a dense violet vapor when heated: used in medicine as an antiseptic. I; 126.904; 53; (solid) 4.93 at 20°C.

iodine British

/ ˈaɪəˌdiːn /

noun

a bluish-black element of the halogen group that sublimates into a violet irritating gas. Its compounds are used in medicine and photography and in dyes. The radioisotope iodine-131 ( radioiodine ), with a half-life of 8 days, is used in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. Symbol: I; atomic no: 53; atomic wt: 126.90447; valency: 1, 3, 5, or 7; relative density: 4.93; melting pt: 113.5°C; boiling pt: 184.35°C

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

iodine Scientific

/ ī′ə-dīn′ /

A shiny, grayish-black element of the halogen group. It is corrosive and poisonous and occurs in very small amounts in nature except for seaweed, in which it is abundant. Iodine compounds are used in medicine, antiseptics, and dyes. Atomic number 53; atomic weight 126.9045; melting point 113.5°C; boiling point 184.35°C; specific gravity (solid, at 20°C) 4.93; valence 1, 3, 5, 7.
See Periodic Table

Etymology

Origin of iodine

First recorded in 1814; from French iode + -ine ² ( def. 2 ); introduced by H. Davy. Ultimately from Greek īṓdēs, originally “rust-colored”, but by folk etymology taken as í(on) “violet” + -ōdēs noun suffix; -ode ¹ ( def. )

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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.

Mama went in the house and came back with some clean rags, a bottle of peroxide, and some iodine.

From Literature

Full-fat cheese contains several nutrients relevant to brain health, including fat-soluble vitamins A, D and K2, as well as vitamin B12, folate, iodine, zinc and selenium.

From Science Daily

Mrs. Wendleken always poured iodine all over the bites, so Alice had to go around for days with big brown splotches on her arms and legs.

From Literature

These molecules are nearly identical, differing only by a single atom: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

From Science Daily

There were even rudimentary first-aid supplies: bandages, iodine, and so forth.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023