tincture of iodine
Noun: A medicinal solution, typically brownish-red in color, consisting of iodine dissolved in ethyl alcohol. It is primarily used as a topical antiseptic to disinfect minor cuts, wounds, and abrasions to prevent infection.
This term refers specifically to the antiseptic liquid preparation. It is used as a mass noun (uncountable) when referring to the substance in general, but can be counted when referring to specific bottles or types. * Apply a small amount of tincture of iodine to the cut. * The first-aid kit contained a bottle of tincture of iodine. * Tincture of iodine stings when applied to open skin.
- Historical/Technical Context: In historical or precise chemical contexts, the term can specify the concentration, often a 2-7% iodine solution in alcohol.
- The surgeon prepared a 5% tincture of iodine for preoperative skin disinfection.
- Iodine tincture: A less common but synonymous term.
- Tincture (general): In pharmacy, any medicinal solution where the active ingredient is dissolved in alcohol.
- Antiseptic: A general term for substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
- Topical solution: A liquid medicine designed for application to the body's surface.
- Antiseptic solution
- Iodine solution (when context implies the alcoholic tincture)
The core meaning is specific. It does not refer to: * Elemental iodine: The pure chemical element. * Povidone-iodine: A different, more modern iodine-based antiseptic complex (e.g., Betadine®). * Tincture of benzoin: A different antiseptic tincture used for skin protection.
- a tincture consisting of a solution of iodine in ethyl alcohol; applied topically to wounds as an antiseptic