Definition

A clear, colorless liquid that is used as a gas for anesthesia during surgeries. It is safe to use and does not catch fire easily.

Example

The doctor used halothane to keep the patient asleep during the operation.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of halothane?

Yeah, it's that anesthetic used in surgeries, right?

Exactly! I read that it's nonflammable, which is interesting.

That makes it safer to use in operating rooms.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Halothane is a coined term, derived from the components 'halo-' (from the Greek 'halos', meaning salt) and '-thane' (from the Greek 'thanatos', meaning death). The word refers to a compound used in anesthesia, suggesting its role in inducing a state of unconsciousness or 'death' in a medical context.

Memory Tip

Think of 'halo-' as relating to 'salt' and '-thane' as connected to 'death' — this helps you remember that halothane is a compound used to induce unconsciousness in anesthesia.

Visually Confused Words