THALIDOMIDE Definition & Meaning

thalidomide

[ thuh-lid-uh-mahyd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4 , formerly used as a sedative: if taken during pregnancy, it may cause severe abnormalities in the limbs of the fetus.

thalidomide

/ θəˈ��ɪ��əˌ��ɪ�� /

noun

1. a synthetic drug formerly used as a sedative and hypnotic but withdrawn from the market when found to cause abnormalities in developing fetuses. Formula: C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4
2. ( as modifier )
  a thalidomide baby

thalidomide

/ �ٳ�ə-��ĭ��′ə-��ī��′ /

A drug used to treat leprosy. It was previously prescribed to treat nausea during early pregnancy, but was found to cause severe birth defects, including stunting or absence of the limbs. Chemical formula: C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4 .

thalidomide

A sedative drug that was developed and used in Europe in the 1960s. Thalidomide was taken off the market when it became evident that it caused severe birth defects in babies born to women who had used the drug during pregnancy.

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Notes

References to thalidomide are often made when illustrating the dangers of using drugs whose side effects are not well known.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of thalidomide¹

1955–60; (ph)thal(im)ido(glutari)mide, equivalent to phthalimide ( phthal(ic) + imide ) + -o- + glutarimide ( glut(en) + (tart)ar(ic) + imide )

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of thalidomide¹

C20: from thallic + -id- (from imide ) + imide

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

How many of us remember the case of thalidomide?

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The apology was recommended in 2019 by a Senate inquiry into the support that was available to aging thalidomide survivors.

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Australia's prime minister has given a national apology to survivors of the thalidomide scandal and their families.

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"The thalidomide tragedy is a dark chapter in the history of our nation and the world," Albanese said in a statement.

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Some of that mistrust may be rooted in the 1950s and '60s, when the morning sickness drug thalidomide led to thousands of babies being born with severe birth defects.

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