How Do You Spell VERONAL?

Pronunciation: [vˈɛɹɒnə͡l] (IPA)

Veronal is a hypnotic drug that was commonly used as a sedative in the early 20th century. Its spelling is based on the chemical name, diethylbarbituric acid. The word "ethyl" is represented by the letters "e-t-h", which is pronounced as /ɛθ/, while "barbituric" is pronounced as /bɑrˈbɪtjʊrɪk/. The first two letters of each word are combined to create "veron" and the addition of the letter "a" gives the final spelling, "veronal". The pronunciation of "veronal" is /vəˈroʊnəl/.

VERONAL Meaning and Definition

1. Veronal is a noun that refers to a barbiturate drug belonging to the chemical class of barbituric acid derivatives. It is a sedative-hypnotic medication primarily used to induce sleep or as a treatment for insomnia. The term "veronal" is derived from the trade name of the drug itself.

   Veronal acts on the central nervous system by depressing neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect on the brain. It exerts its pharmacological effects by enhancing the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This neurotransmitter helps to regulate neuronal excitability, and by increasing its activity, veronal promotes relaxation and induces a state of drowsiness.

   Historically, veronal was widely used as a sleeping aid in the early 20th century before being replaced by more modern barbiturates. Due to its sedating properties, it was also employed for the treatment of various conditions associated with restlessness, anxiety, or insomnia. However, its use has significantly diminished over the years due to the development of more effective and safer alternatives.

   It is important to note that the use of veronal carries the risk of dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Additionally, it can have several side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, impaired coordination, confusion, and respiratory depression, especially when taken in excessive amounts. Therefore, veronal should only be used under medical supervision and for a prescribed duration.

2. Barbital, diethylbarbituric acid, dietbylmalonylurea, C8H12O3N2; a white crystalline powder, without odor and of slightly bitter taste, soluble in 150 parts of cold water and in 12 parts of boiling water; hypnotic in doses of gr. 5-15 (0.3-1.0).

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

Common Misspellings for VERONAL

• ceronal
• beronal
• geronal
• feronal
• vwronal
• vsronal
• vdronal
• vrronal
• v4ronal
• v3ronal
• veeonal
• vedonal
• vefonal
• vetonal
• ve5onal
• ve4onal
• verknal
• verlnal
• verpnal

Etymology of VERONAL

The word "veronal" originates from the chemical compound "veronal sodium", which is a barbiturate derivative known by its systematic name diethylmalonylurea. The term "veronal" itself was coined after its creator, the German chemist Emil Fischer. In 1902, Fischer synthesized the compound while researching various barbiturates, and he named it after the city of Verona in Italy. The reason for this name choice is not entirely clear, but it may be attributed to Fischer's admiration for the Italian city or simply because it sounded aesthetically pleasing. The term "veronal" eventually became synonymous with barbiturates in general, although its usage has declined in recent years.

Similar spelling word for VERONAL

• vernal.