aspirin

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: as=pi=rin

CIDE DICTIONARY

aspirin, n. 

 A white crystalline compound, acetyl salicylic acid (CH3.CO.O.C6H4.CO.OH) widely used as a drug for relief of pain and alleviation of fever. It has analgesic, antipyretic, and antiinflammatory properties, and is one of a class of agents called non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The name was originally a trade name, but has become the preferred name for the substance. It is actually a prodrug, liberating salicylic acid, the ultimate pharmacologically active agent, in the intestines. It is more effective when taken orally than is salicylic acid, because it dissolves more readily.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

aspirin, n. (pl. same or aspirins)
1 a white powder, acetylsalicylic acid, used to relieve pain and reduce fever.
2 a tablet of this.

Etymology

G, formed as ACETYL + spiraeic (= salicylic) acid + -IN