calomel

noun

cal·​o·​mel ˈka-lə-məl 

-ˌmel

: 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

Examples of calomel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His digestive system was wrecked by recurring dysentery and colic, and the calomel prescribed by his doctors only made things worse. — Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026

During the Civil War, the new surgeon general, William Hammond, thought calomel too dangerous and banned its use in 1863. — Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

Over the last nine years, there have been over 60 poisonings linked to a foreign brand, unlabeled, or homemade skin creams that contained toxic chemicals like mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel in California. — Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 12 Sep. 2019

In California alone, there have been over 60 poisonings in the last nine years linked to foreign-brand, unlabeled or homemade skin creams that contained a less toxic form of mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel, the statement said. — NBC News, 12 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for calomel

• bagatelle
• caravel
• carousel
• carrousel
• citadel
• clientele
• commonweal
• coronel
• decibel
• demoiselle
• fontanelle
• hydrocele

Kids Definition

calomel

noun

cal·​o·​mel ˈkal-ə-məl 

-ˌmel

: a white tasteless chemical compound of mercury and chlorine that is used especially as a fungicide

Medical Definition

calomel

noun

cal·​o·​mel ˈkal-ə-məl, -ˌmel 

: a white tasteless compound Hg₂Cl₂ used especially as a fungicide and insecticide and formerly in medicine as a purgative

called also mercurous chloride