bromide
UK[ˈbrəʊmaɪd]US[ˈbroʊmaɪd]
n
a chemical compound of bromine with another element or group, especially a salt containing the anion br− or an organic compound with bromine bonded to an alkyl radical.
n
a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate.
Morpheme Breakdown
brom
ide
brom
bromine
ide
chemical compound suffix
Etymology
the word 'bromide' has a clear chemical lineage. it is formed from 'bromine', the name of the element derived from the greek 'brômos' (stench) due to its sharp, irritating odor, combined with the french-derived chemical suffix '-ide', which indicates a compound. the element was discovered in the 1820s and named for its sensory property. the figurative meaning, referring to a dull, conventional statement, emerged in the early 20th century, drawing an analogy between the sedative effect of potassium bromide salts in 19th-century medicine and the supposedly soothing, dulling effect of clichéd remarks on intellectual vitality.
Analysis
Structure: brom (bromine) + ide (chemical compound suffix)
"brom" originates from the french word 'brome', itself from greek 'brômos' meaning "stench", referring to the strong smell of bromine vapor. its functional role is as the root denoting the element bromine. "ide" is a suffix of greek origin (via french '-ide'), used in chemistry to denote a binary compound or an anion.
Examples
potassium bromide was once commonly used as a sedative and anticonvulsant.
his speech was full of tired bromides about hard work and perseverance.
silver bromide is a light-sensitive compound used in traditional photographic film.