Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ɪədˌa͡ɪz] (IPA) 
The word "iodise" is spelled with the letters i-o-d-i-s-e. According to IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈaɪədaɪz/. This means that the word begins with a long "i" sound, followed by a short "o" sound, and then a "d" sound. The "i" and "s" sounds that come afterwards are both pronounced as short "i" sounds. This word refers to the process of adding iodine to something, such as salt, to make it more nutritious.
Iodise is a verb that refers to the process of adding iodine or iodine compounds to food or other substances in order to increase their iodine content. It is derived from the word "iodine", an essential chemical element of the halogen group, and the suffix "-ise", indicating the action of making or causing something to be characterized by the word root.
Iodising is commonly employed as a method to reduce iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in populations that lack an adequate intake of iodine. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones by the human body, which are crucial for the regulation of metabolism, growth, and development. A lack of iodine can lead to various health problems, including goiter, mental impairment, and cretinism.
The process of iodising involves adding iodine or iodine compounds, such as potassium iodide or iodate, to certain foods or substances that people commonly consume, such as salt. Iodised salt is one of the most effective and widely used methods to prevent iodine deficiency. Other methods of iodisation include fortifying water, bread, and other staple foods with iodine.
The aim of iodising is to ensure that individuals receive an adequate daily intake of iodine, which can significantly contribute to improved overall health and prevent iodine deficiency disorders.
The word "iodise" is derived from the chemical element "iodine". The noun "iodine" comes from the French word "iode", which was coined by French chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac in 1813. Gay-Lussac named it after "violet" (French: violet) due to its characteristically deep purple color. The suffix "-ise" in "iodise" is a verb-forming suffix that indicates the action of iodizing or treating with iodine. Therefore, "iodise" essentially means to treat or combine with iodine.
