Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A cream-colored crystalline powder, C9H9HgNaO2S, used as a local antiseptic for abrasions and minor cuts.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A compound, chemical formula C9H9HgNaO2S, used as an antiseptic and antifungal agent, especially in vaccines.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a light-colored crystalline powder (trade name Merthiolate) used as a surgical antiseptic

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[thi(o)– + mer(cury) + –o– + sal(icylate).]

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Examples

  • However, injected flu vaccines may contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, which many doctors believe is safe but others believe may be responsible for effects on the brain and nervous system.

    Facts About Swine Flu 2009

  • For the record, thimerosal is not the only ingredient that worries those of us with autistic children.

    Unanswered Questions About U.S. Vaccination Policy 2010

  • However, injected flu vaccines may contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, which many doctors believe is safe but others believe may be responsible for effects on the brain and nervous system.

    Facts About Swine Flu 2009

  • Will the single-dose injectable units of H1N1 2009 vaccine that do NOT contain thimerosal (mercury) be available at the same time as the multi-dose vials that do contain it?

    Send us your H1N1 swine flu questions! 2009

  • However, injected flu vaccines may contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, which many doctors believe is safe but others believe may be responsible for effects on the brain and nervous system.

    Facts About Swine Flu 2009

  • "The theory that thimerosal is singularly culpable in bringing about autism is only one of three upon which courts will decide," the news media report.

    Federal court hears case of potential autism-vaccine link BA Haller 2008

  • And later this year, attorneys will present four more test cases to determine whether MMR vaccines, regardless of whether or not they contain thimerosal, may bring about the condition.

    Federal court hears case of potential autism-vaccine link BA Haller 2008

  • The mainstream medical community has long contended that vaccines, whether they contain thimerosal or not, do not cause autism.

    Federal court hears case of potential autism-vaccine link BA Haller 2008

  • The flu vaccine does contain thimerosal, but it isn’t considered a routine childhood immunization.

    Medpundit 2003

  • The flu vaccine does contain thimerosal, but it isn’t considered a routine childhood immunization.

    Archive 2003-06-01 2003

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