calomel
noun
cal·o·mel
ˈka-lə-məl 
-ˌmel
: a white tasteless compound Hg2Cl2 used especially as a component of laboratory electrodes, as a fungicide, and formerly in medicine as a purgative
called also mercurous chloride
Examples of calomel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the Age of Sail, mercury was used on ships to treat fever, scurvy, constipation, and more, often in the form of calomel, or mercurous chloride.
—
Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
In California alone, there have been over 60 poisonings in the last nine years linked to foreign-brand, unlabeled or homemade skin creams that contained a less toxic form of mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel, the statement said.
—NBC News, 12 Sep. 2019
Over the last nine years, there have been over 60 poisonings linked to a foreign brand, unlabeled, or homemade skin creams that contained toxic chemicals like mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel in California.
—Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 12 Sep. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
In California alone, there have been over 60 poisonings in the last nine years linked to foreign-brand, unlabeled or homemade skin creams that contained a less toxic form of mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel, the statement said.
—NBC News, 12 Sep. 2019
Over the last nine years, there have been over 60 poisonings linked to a foreign brand, unlabeled, or homemade skin creams that contained toxic chemicals like mercury, mercurous chloride or calomel in California.
—Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 12 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Calomel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calomel. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calomel
noun
cal·o·mel
ˈkal-ə-məl
-ˌmel
: a white tasteless chemical compound of mercury and chlorine that is used especially as a fungicide
Medical Definition
calomel
noun
cal·o·mel
ˈkal-ə-məl, -ˌmel
: a white tasteless compound Hg2Cl2 used especially as a fungicide and insecticide and formerly in medicine as a purgative
called also mercurous chloride
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share