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Added 9 October 2026

thalidomide

/θəˈlɪ.dəˌmaɪd/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about thalidomide at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An immunomodulatory drug used to treat a number of cancers and skin disorders, historically promoted as a sedative and medication for morning sickness.

Origin

From (ph)thal(ic acid) + (im)ido + (i)mide. The chemical was synthesized and marketed in the 1950s.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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