| an obscure term ostensibly referring to a lung disease caused by silica dust, sometimes cited as one of the longest words in the English language. |
| a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C14H9Cl5, usually derived from chloral by reaction with chlorobenzene in the presence of fuming sulfuric acid: used as an insecticide and as a scabicide and pediculicide: agricultural use prohibited in the U.S. |
diethylstilbestrol di·eth·yl·stil·bes·trol (dī-ěth'əl-stĭl-bēs'trôl, -trōl)
n.
DES.
| diethylstilbestrol (dī-ěth'əl-stĭl-běs'trôl', -trōl') Pronunciation Key
See DES. |
diethylstilbestrol
nonsteroidal synthethic estrogen used as a drug and formerly used to promote growth of livestock. Unlike natural estrogens, DES remains active following oral administration. It is also administered as vaginal suppositories and by injection. DES breaks down more slowly in the body than do the natural estrogens.
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