aspirin Chem.
(ˈæspɪrɪn)
[G. (C. Witthauer 1899, in Die Heilkunde Apr.), shortened form of Acetylirte Spirsäure (i.e. acetylated spiræic acid) + -in1.]
A white crystalline compound, acetylsalicylic acid, used esp. as an analgesic and antipyretic; with an and pl., a dose of this in tablet form. Also attrib.
| 1899 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXXVI. ii. 605 Physiological Action of Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid). 1901 Ibid. LXXX. ii. 408 Aspirin (o-acetoxybenzoic acid) does not increase the flow of urine, but somewhat raises the total output of solids. 1922 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 460/1 He was always at hand with tea and brandy and aspirin. 1923 Mrs. A. Sidgwick None-go-by xxix. 243, I think that frontal neuralgia is worse. You can give me an aspirin if you like. 1924 Blackw. Mag. June 801/2 Aspirin tablets. 1937 ‘G. Orwell’ Road to Wigan Pier xii. 224 Every aspirin-eater in the outer suburbs. 1954 Numbers July 4 Flash of wet overcoats; artificial neon-lit expressions. Aspirin age. World gone sour. 1960 [see anything 1 b]. |
| fig. 1930 Time & Tide 30 Aug. 1085/1 This aspirin remedy could continue only so long as the price of wheat and wool was high. 1957 M. Swan Brit. Guiana i. i. 21 The living standards would eventually improve without the necessity for this aspirin from the Government. |