Main Entry: cal·o·mel

Pronunciation: \ˈka-lə-məl, -ˌmel\

Function: noun

Etymology: probably from New Latin *calomelas, from Greek kalos beautiful + melas black — more at melan-

Date: 1676

: a white tasteless compound Hg₂Cl₂ used especially as a component of laboratory electrodes, as a fungicide, and formerly in medicine as a purgative —called also mercurous chloride