thiouracil

[ thahy-oh-yoo r-uh-sil ]
/ ˌθaɪ oʊˈyʊər ə sɪl /

noun Pharmacology.

a white, slightly water-soluble, bitter, crystalline powder C4H4N2OS, used chiefly in treating hyperthyroidism by reducing the activity of the thyroid gland.

Origin of thiouracil

First recorded in 1940–45; thio- + uracil

Words nearby thiouracil

thiosulfuric, thiosulfuric acid, thiosulphate, thiosulphuric acid, thiothixene, thiouracil, thiourea, thioxanthene, thir, thira, thiram

British Dictionary definitions for thiouracil

thiouracil
/ (ˌθaɪəʊˈjʊərəsɪl) /

noun

a white crystalline water-insoluble substance with an intensely bitter taste, used in medicine to treat hyperthyroidism; 2-thio-4-oxypyrimidine. Formula: C 4 H 4 N 2 OS

Word Origin for thiouracil

from thio- + uracil ( uro- 1 + ac ( etic) + -il -ile)

Medical definitions for thiouracil

thiouracil
[ thī′ō-yur′ə-sĭl′ ]

n.

A white crystalline compound that interferes with the synthesis of thyroxine, used to reduce thyroid gland activity, especially in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.