dimethyl sulfoxide

noun

: a compound C2H6SO obtained as a by-product in wood-pulp manufacture and used as a solvent and in medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent

called also DMSO

Examples of dimethyl sulfoxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On Thursday, researchers at Northwestern University published a study showing that PFAS can be destroyed using two relatively harmless chemicals: sodium hydroxide or lye, a chemical used to make soap, and dimethyl sulfoxide, a chemical approved as a medication for bladder pain syndrome. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 18 Aug. 2022 Researchers added an uncommon solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide, to heat the molecule to between 80 and 120 degrees Celsius. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 23 Jan. 2023 Depending on the sample, scientists might use different techniques to prevent ice crystals from developing, but the most common method is to treat the cells with dimethyl sulfoxide. Katharine Gammon, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2019 The Northwestern scientists added PFAS molecules to a solution of lye and dimethyl sulfoxide and exposed them to temperatures of up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 18 Aug. 2022 For the electrolyte, the researchers used a mixture of organic chemicals that had been demonstrated in earlier work (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate mixed with dimethyl sulfoxide). John Timmer, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dimethyl sulfoxide was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near dimethyl sulfoxide

Cite this Entry

“Dimethyl sulfoxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dimethyl%20sulfoxide. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

dimethyl sulfoxide

noun
: an anti-inflammatory agent (CH3)2SO used in the treatment of interstitial cystitis

called also DMSO

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