tetracaine

noun

tet·​ra·​caine ˈte-trə-ˌkān How to pronounce tetracaine (audio)
: a crystalline basic ester C15H24N2O2 that is closely related chemically to procaine and is used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride as a local anesthetic

Word History

Etymology

tetra- + -caine

First Known Use

circa 1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetracaine was circa 1935

Dictionary Entries Near tetracaine

Cite this Entry

“Tetracaine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetracaine. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

tetracaine

noun
tet·​ra·​caine ˈte-trə-ˌkān How to pronounce tetracaine (audio)
: a crystalline basic ester that is closely related chemically to procaine and is used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride C15H24N2O2·HCl as a local anesthetic

called also amethocaine, pantocaine

see pontocaine
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