etidronate

noun

et·​i·​dro·​nate ˌē-tə-ˈdrō-ˌnāt How to pronounce etidronate (audio) ˌe- How to pronounce etidronate (audio)
: a white sodium salt C2H6Na2O7P2 that inhibits the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and is administered orally in the treatment of some bone diseases (such as Paget's disease of bone)

called also etidronate disodium

Word History

Etymology

etidronic acid (of which etidronate is a salt), perhaps from ethylidene (the radical CH3CH) + hydr- + phosphonic acid (an acid obtained from phosphine)

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of etidronate was in 1971

Dictionary Entries Near etidronate

Cite this Entry

“Etidronate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etidronate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

etidronate

noun
et·​i·​dro·​nate ˌēt-ə-ˈdrō-ˌnāt How to pronounce etidronate (audio) ˌet- How to pronounce etidronate (audio)
: a white disodium bisphosphonate salt C2H6Na2O7P2 that inhibits the formation, growth, and dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and is used especially to treat Paget's disease of bone and to prevent or treat heterotopic ossification (as that associated with hip-replacement surgery)

called also etidronate disodium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!