calomel

cal·o·mel

noun \ˈka-lə-məl, -ˌmel\

Definition of CALOMEL

: 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

Origin of CALOMEL

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

First Known Use: 1676