Cal"o*mel (?), n. [Gr. beautuful + black. So called from its being white, though made from a black mixture of mercury and corrosive sublimate. Cf. F. calom'elas.] Chem.
Mild chloride of mercury, HgCl, a heavy, white or yellowish white substance, insoluble and tasteless, much used in medicine as a mercurial and purgative; mercurous chloride. It occurs native as the mineral born quicksilver.
© Webster 1913.