tartar emetic

noun

: a poisonous efflorescent crystalline salt C₈H₄K₂O₁₂Sb₂·3H₂O of sweetish metallic taste that is used in dyeing as a mordant and especially formerly in medicine as an emetic and expectorant

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tartar emetic

noun

: a poisonous efflorescent crystalline salt KSbOC₄H₄O₆·¹/₂H₂O of sweetish metallic taste that is used in dyeing as a mordant and especially formerly in medicine as an expectorant, anthelmintic, and emetic

called also antimony potassium tartrate, potassium antimonyltartrate, tartrated antimony