bichloride of mercury: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical / Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “bichloride of mercury” mean?
A highly poisonous, white crystalline compound of mercury and chlorine, historically used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly poisonous, white crystalline compound of mercury and chlorine, historically used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
A historic term for mercury(II) chloride (HgCl₂), also known as corrosive sublimate, once used in medicine, photography, and as a pesticide, but now primarily of historical and toxicological interest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant dialectal difference. The term is equally archaic and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical medical treatments, severe toxicity, antiquated science.
Frequency
Exceedingly rare in contemporary usage in both regions, found primarily in historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bichloride of mercury” in a Sentence
The surgeon used a [bichloride of mercury] solution.Poisoning by [bichloride of mercury] was fatal.A 1:1000 dilution of [bichloride of mercury] was applied.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bichloride of mercury” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wound was bichloridised (archaic).
American English
- They bichloridized the instruments (archaic).
adjective
British English
- The bichloride solution was kept in a locked cabinet.
American English
- A bichloride tablet was dissolved in the basin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or toxicology papers discussing past medical practices or heavy metal poisoning.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be unrecognisable to most speakers.
Technical
Used in historical chemistry or medical history contexts; modern technical texts use 'mercury(II) chloride'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bichloride of mercury”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bichloride of mercury”
- Misspelling as 'bichloride' or 'bychloride'.
- Confusing it with calomel (mercury(I) chloride).
- Using it as a current term instead of a historical one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its use in medicine and as a general disinfectant has been completely abandoned due to its extreme toxicity and the availability of safer alternatives.
It is 'corrosive' because it damages tissue and 'sublimate' because it can be purified by sublimation (heating it into a vapour which then solidifies).
It was used as a topical antiseptic for wounds, a disinfectant for surgical instruments, and in very dilute solutions for treating syphilis. It was also used in photography and taxidermy.
It is acutely toxic. Ingestion of even small amounts (1-2 grams) can cause severe gastrointestinal damage, kidney failure, and death.
A highly poisonous, white crystalline compound of mercury and chlorine, historically used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
Bichloride of mercury is usually historical / technical / medical in register.
Bichloride of mercury: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈklɔːraɪd əv ˈmɜːkjəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈklɔːraɪd əv ˈmɜːrkjəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember BI-chloride (two chlorines) OF MERCURY. Think: 'BI' for two, 'CHLORIDE' for chlorine, making a deadly pair with mercury.
Conceptual Metaphor
POISON IS A LEGACY (of past medical practices).
Practice
Quiz
What is the modern, systematic chemical name for 'bichloride of mercury'?