What is "iodine"

Iodine \I"o*dine\ ([imac]"[-o]*d[i^]n or [imac]"[-o]*d[=e]n; 104), n. [Gr. 'iw`dhs violetlike; 'i`on a violet + e'i^dos form: cf. F. iode, iodine. The name was given from the violet color of its vapor. See Violet, Idyl.] (Chem.) A nonmetallic element, of the halogen group of atomic number 53, occurring always in combination, as in the iodides. When isolated it is in the form of dark gray metallic scales, resembling plumbago, soft but brittle, and emitting a chlorinelike odor. Symbol I. Atomic weight 126.90. If heated, iodine volatilizes in beautiful violet vapors.

Note: Iodine was formerly obtained from the ashes of seaweed (kelp or varec), but is now also extracted from certain natural brines. In the free state, iodine, even in very minute quantities, colors starch blue. Iodine and its compounds are largely used in medicine (as in liniments, antisyphilitics, etc.), in photography, in the preparation of aniline dyes, and as an indicator in titration.

Iodine green, an artificial green dyestuff, consisting of an iodine derivative of rosaniline; -- called also night green.

Iodine scarlet, a pigment of an intense scarlet color, consisting of mercuric iodide.

Iodine yellow, a brilliant yellow pigment, consisting of plumbic iodide.

1814, formed by English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) from French iode "iodine," coined 1812 by French chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac from Greek ioeides "violet-colored," from ion "the violet; dark blue flower," + eidos "appearance" (see -oid). Davy added the chemical suffix -ine (2) to make it analogous with chlorine and fluorine. So called from the color of the vapor given off when the crystals are heated.

n. 1 A chemical element (''symbol'': I) with an atomic number of 53; one of the halogens. 2 An antiseptic incorporating the element. 3 (context countable uncountable obsolete English) An iodide. vb. (context transitive English) To treat with iodine.

1. n. a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; used especially in medicine and photography and in dyes; occurs naturally only in combination in small quantities (as in sea water or rocks) [syn: iodin, I, atomic number 53]

2. a tincture consisting of a solution of iodine in ethyl alcohol; applied topically to wounds as an antiseptic [syn: tincture of iodine]

Iodine is a chemical element with symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is from Greek ioeidēs, meaning violet or purple, referring to the color of iodine vapor.

Iodine and its compounds are primarily used in nutrition, and industrially in the production of acetic acid and certain polymers. Iodine's relatively high atomic number, low toxicity, and ease of attachment to organic compounds have made iodine radioisotopes, such as I, a part of many X-ray contrast materials in modern medicine. Iodine has only one stable isotope.

Iodine is found on Earth mainly as the highly water-soluble iodide ion I, which is concentrated in oceans and brine pools. Like the other halogens, free iodine occurs mainly as a diatomic molecule I, and then only momentarily after being oxidized from iodide by an oxidant like free oxygen. In the universe and on Earth, iodine's high atomic number makes it a relatively rare element. Present in sea water, it is the heaviest essential element used widely by life in biological functions (only tungsten, employed in enzymes by a few species of bacteria, is heavier). Iodine is rare in many soils, has low abundance generally as a crust-element, and is leached by rainwater, leading to many deficiency problems in land animals and inland human populations. Iodine deficiency affects about two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disabilities.

Iodine is required by higher animals as a component of thyroid hormones. Because of this function, radioisotopes of iodine are concentrated in the thyroid gland along with nonradioactive iodine. If inhaled, the radioisotope iodine-131, which has a high fission product yield, concentrates in the thyroid, and can be remedied with non-radioactive potassium iodide treatment.

Iodine is a 2009 Canadian Sci-Fi drama film written and directed by Michael Stasko.

Iodine is a chemical element.

Iodine or iodine may also refer to:

• Isotopes of iodine:
  • Iodine-123
  • Iodine-124
  • Iodine-125
  • Iodine-129
  • Iodine-131
• Iodine clock reaction
• Iodine deficiency
• Iodine Recordings
• Iodine test
• Iodine value
• Povidone-iodine, a common antiseptic
• Tincture of iodine
• Lugol's iodine
• Little Iodine, a comics character
• "Iodine", a song by Leonard Cohen from Death of a Ladies' Man
• Iodine (film), a 2009 Canadian science-fiction film
• "Iodine", a song by Icon For Hire from Scripted