Apedia

Bromide Long August Noun Broh Myde Bromine Discovered Chemists

Word bromide
Date August 16, 2021
Type noun
Syllables BROH-myde
Etymology After bromine was discovered in 1827, chemists could not resist experimenting with the new element. It didn't take long before they found uses for its compounds, in particular potassium bromide, which was used as a sedative to treat everything from epilepsy to sleeplessness. By the 20th century, bromide was being used figuratively to apply to anything or anyone that might put one to sleep because of commonness or just plain dullness.
Examples "A banal bromide like 'trust the science' helps neither science nor the public in the long run. The key is effective communication: neither proselytizing nor bland recitation of the facts." — Cory Franklin, The Wyoming County (Pennsylvania) Press Examiner, 9 Dec. 2020
Definition A bromide is a commonplace or hackneyed statement or idea.
// His speech had nothing more to offer than the usual bromides about how everyone needs to work together.

Tags: wordoftheday::noun

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: Undulant form move things august adjective un-juh-lunt unda

Previous card: Tousle verb word tousled august tow-zul linguists call

Up to card list: Word of the Day