Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
dimethyl sulfoxide

dimethyl sulfoxide

6.2
A clear liquid used to dissolve medicines and to preserve cells and tissues in labs
  • noun
  • /daɪˈmɛθəl sʌlˈfɒksɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dimetilsulfóxido
  • Doctors sometimes use dimethyl sulfoxide in topical treatments for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Examples

  • Scientists often use dimethyl sulfoxide in laboratory experiments.

  • Researchers studied the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on cell membranes in their experiment.

  • The laboratory technician added dimethyl sulfoxide to the solution to help dissolve the compound.

  • The dimethyl sulfoxide solution was effective in the study.

  • The laboratory technician added dimethyl sulfoxide to the solution to help dissolve the compound.

  • Doctors sometimes use dimethyl sulfoxide in topical treatments for its anti-inflammatory effects.

  • Researchers studied the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on cell membranes in their experiment.

Surface Forms

dimethyl sulfoxide singular
dimethyl sulfoxides plural

Morphology

dimethyl + sulfoxide

The term is transparently compositional: 'dimethyl' indicates two methyl groups and 'sulfoxide' names the sulfoxide functional group, so the phrase denotes a sulfoxide molecule bearing two methyl substituents. Although technical and domain-specific, the meaning follows standard chemical-naming logic that a learner who knows the constituent senses can accurately infer.

Etymology

Dimethyl sulfoxide gives a simple picture of the molecule: dimethyl means two small 'methyl' groups and sulfoxide means a sulfur atom joined to an oxygen. That's why the word refers to the liquid used as a 'solvent' in labs and in 'medicine' to help treat and 'preserve' cells.