etidronate

noun et·i·dro·nate \ ˌē-tə-ˈdrō-ˌnāt , ˌe- \

Definition of etidronate

: a white sodium salt C₂H₆Na₂O₇P₂ that inhibits the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and is administered orally in the treatment of some bone diseases (such as Paget's disease of bone) — called also etidronate disodium

Origin and Etymology of etidronate

etidronic acid (of which etidronate is a salt), perhaps from ethylidene (the radical CH₃CH) + hydr- + phosphonic acid (an acid obtained from phosphine)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1971

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

etidronate

noun et·i·dro·nate \ ˌēt-ə-ˈdrō-ˌnāt , ˌet- \

medical Definition of etidronate

: a white disodium bisphosphonate salt C₂H₆Na₂O₇P₂ that inhibits the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and is used especially to treat Paget's disease of bone and to prevent or treat heterotopic ossification (as that associated with hip-replacement surgery) — called also etidronate disodium