Definition

Noun: 1. A poisonous colorless salt used as a mordant and in medicine: Tartar emetic is a chemical compound, specifically antimony potassium tartrate. Historically, it was used in small, controlled doses as an emetic (to induce vomiting) and expectorant in medicine, and as a mordant (a substance that fixes dyes) in textile processing. It is toxic and can be dangerous if improperly handled.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the 19th century, tartar emetic was sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat certain parasitic infections.
  • The laboratory strictly controls access to tartar emetic due to its poisonous nature.
  • Before modern synthetic mordants, dyers used substances like tartar emetic to help set colors in fabric.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Medical Context: The term is primarily used in historical or specialized scientific contexts. Its use in modern medicine is extremely rare due to its toxicity and the availability of safer alternatives.
• Chemical Terminology: In chemistry, it is referred to by its systematic name, antimony potassium tartrate, which is more precise.

Variants and Related Words

• Antimony potassium tartrate (n): The systematic chemical name for tartar emetic.
• Emetic (n/adj): A substance that induces vomiting; having the quality of inducing vomiting.
• Mordant (n): A substance used to fix dyes on fabrics.

Synonyms

• Antimony potassium tartrate
• Potassium antimonyl tartrate (an alternative chemical name)

Notes on Usage

• Caution: This term refers to a poisonous substance. It should be used with clear contextual indication of its hazardous nature.
• Archaism: "Tartar emetic" is an older, common name. In contemporary scientific writing, the systematic name is preferred.

Noun

1. a poisonous colorless salt used as a mordant and in medicine