Bromides

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A category of substances characterized by the presence of bromine, often found in medicinal applications and industrial usages, particularly known for their sedative properties
2. Chemical salts or compounds composed of bromine that serve diverse functions in areas like medicine and photography, noted for their calming effects
3. Salts or molecules that include bromine atoms in their structure, typically used in medicine or industry ; dull or unoriginal remarks that lack originality and fail to inspire

Etymology: Bromine, the element these compounds contain, is named for a stink. Its name comes from the Greek "brômos", meaning "stench", a reference to its sharp, unpleasant odour. Compounds of bromine took the chemical suffix "-ide", so "bromides" is simply the plural of a bromine salt. Several of these salts proved useful in medicine. Potassium bromide was widely prescribed as a sedative to calm nerves and encourage sleep. That soothing, dulling effect gave the word a second life: a bromide is now also a dull, predictable remark or platitude, a kind of verbal sedative.

Synonyms: sedatives, calmatives, tranquilizers