saline Hear it!

saline definition

sa·line (sā′lēn′, -līn′; for n. 1, also sə lēn′)

adjective

  1. of, characteristic of, or containing common salt, or sodium chloride
  2. of or containing any of the salts of the alkali metals or magnesium

Etymology: LME salyne < L salinus < sal, salt

noun

  1. a salt spring, lick, mine, etc.
  2. a salt of magnesium or of an alkali metal, often used as a cathartic
  3. a saline solution, esp. one that is isotonic, used in medical treatment or biological experiments

Related Forms:

  • salinity sa·lin′·ity (sə lin′ə tē) noun

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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