How Do You Spell CANTHARIDIN?

Pronunciation: [kˈanθɑːɹˌɪdɪn] (IPA)

Cantharidin is a terpenoid compound that is produced by blister beetles. The spelling of this word can be a bit tricky since the "th" and "ar" sounds can be interchangeable depending on the dialect. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled as /kænˈθærɪdɪn/. This indicates that the "th" sound is pronounced as "θ" and the "ar" sound is pronounced as "ær". So, next time you encounter the word "cantharidin", remember to pronounce the "th" as "θ" and the "ar" as "ær".

CANTHARIDIN Meaning and Definition

1. Cantharidin is a naturally occurring chemical compound that can be found in the bodies of blister beetles in the family Meloidae. It is a potent and highly toxic substance that has been used for various purposes throughout history, particularly in traditional medicine and as a chemical warfare agent.

   In terms of its physical properties, cantharidin is a colorless and odorless crystalline substance that is soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water. It has a molecular formula of C10H12O4 and a molar mass of 196.20 grams per mole.

   Cantharidin is notorious for its vesicant properties, meaning it can cause blistering of the skin upon contact. It achieves this effect by disrupting the integrity of cell membranes and promoting the release of inflammatory substances. This property has made cantharidin a constituent of certain topical preparations used for the treatment of warts, molluscum contagiosum, and other skin conditions.

   However, it is important to note that cantharidin should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional due to its potential toxicity. Ingesting or applying large amounts of cantharidin can cause severe poisoning symptoms, including gastrointestinal irritation, kidney damage, and in extreme cases, even death.

   In addition to its medical applications, cantharidin has also been historically used as a toxic agent in warfare and as an aphrodisiac due to its reputed ability to induce painful erections.

2. The active principle of cantharis, the anhydride of cantharidic acid, C10H12O4.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CANTHARIDIN

• xantharidin
• vantharidin
• fantharidin
• dantharidin
• czntharidin
• csntharidin
• cwntharidin
• cqntharidin
• cabtharidin
• camtharidin
• cajtharidin
• cahtharidin
• canrharidin
• canfharidin
• cangharidin
• canyharidin
• can6haridin
• can5haridin
• cantgaridin

Etymology of CANTHARIDIN

The word "Cantharidin" has its etymology rooted in the Latin language. It is derived from the Latin word "cantharis", which translates to "blister beetle". The suffix "-idin" indicates that it is a chemical compound, often used in taxonomy to denote substances derived from a specific source. So, "Cantharidin" essentially refers to a substance derived from blister beetles.