aspirin

[as-per-in, -prin]

noun

plural

aspirin, aspirins 

1. Pharmacology.,  a white, crystalline substance, C 9 H 8 O 4 , derivative of salicylic acid, used as an anti-inflammatory agent and to relieve the pain of headache, rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, etc.; acetylsalicylic acid.

2. an aspirin tablet.

   I took two aspirin and went right to bed.

aspirin

/ ˈæsprɪn /

noun

1. Chemical name: acetylsalicylic acid. a white crystalline compound widely used in the form of tablets to relieve pain and fever, to reduce inflammation, and to prevent strokes. Formula: CH 3 COOC 6 H 4 COOH

2. a tablet of aspirin

aspirin

1. A white crystalline compound derived from salicylic acid and used in medicine to relieve fever and pain and as an anticoagulant. Also called acetylsalicylic acid. Chemical formula: C ₉ H ₈ O ₄ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirin¹

First recorded in 1899; originally a German trademark, equivalent to A(cetyl) + Spir(säure) “salicylic acid” + -in noun suffix; acetyl, spirea, -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirin¹

C19: from German, from A ( cetyl ) + Spir ( säure ) spiraeic acid (modern salicylic acid) + _-in ; see also _spiraea

A Closer Look

Ninety percent of the population experiences at least one headache each year. The most common type is a tension headache, which is caused by stress and is characterized by tightening of the muscles in the base of the neck and along the scalp. Aspirin alleviates headaches by blocking the body's production of prostaglandins, hormones that contribute to pain by stimulating muscle contraction and blood vessel dilation. For thousands of years, people chewed the bark of willow trees to control headache and other pain. The study of the properties of this medicinal plant led German chemist Hermann Kolbe to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a building block of aspirin, in 1859. A pure form of ASA wasn't prepared until 1897, by Felix Hoffman, a chemist in the Bayer chemical factory in Germany. After publication of successful clinical trials, aspirin was distributed in powder form in 1899 and as a tablet in 1900. Aspirin possesses a number of properties that make it one of the most recommended drugs. Besides being an analgesic, or pain reliever, it also reduces inflammation that often accompanies injuries or diseases, such as arthritis. It is also an antipyretic compound, or fever reducer. Aspirin is the only over-the-counter analgesic approved for prevention of cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that aspirin may also decrease the risk of some forms of stroke. Additional studies indicate that aspirin may play a role in reducing the risks of ovarian cancer.

Example Sentences

"This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen," he said.

From BBC

In the trial, a European-sized dose of 100 mg aspirin was used.

From BBC

Regular aspirin comes with risks and trials are still trying to figure out which patients are most likely to benefit.

From BBC

The High Street pharmacy chain Boots is asking customers to return packs of 500-milligram paracetamol tablets because a labelling error incorrectly states they are a different painkiller, aspirin.

From BBC

One of the winning bids last December was an aspirin tablet selling for less than one cent.

From BBC

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