aspirin Hear it!

aspirin definition

as·pi·rin (as′pə rin′, -prin′)

noun

  1. a white, crystalline powder, acetylsalicylic acid, CHCOOCHCOOH, used as an anti-inflammatory drug and for reducing fever, relieving headaches, etc.
  2. pl. aspirin -·rin′ or aspirins -·rins′ a tablet of this powder

Etymology: Ger < Gr a-, without + ModL Spiraea, spirea + -in: so named (1899) by H. Dreser, Ger chemist, because compounded without use of spirea (in which the natural acid is found)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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