Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
WordNet
n. lotion consisting of a poisonous solution of isopropyl alcohol or denatured ethanol alcohol for external use
Wikipedia
Rubbing alcohol refers to either isopropyl alcohol (propan-2-ol) or ethanol based liquids, or the comparable British Pharmacopoeia defined surgical spirit, with isopropyl alcohol products being the most widely available.
They are liquids used primarily as a topical antiseptic. They also have many industrial and household uses.
The United States Pharmacopeia defined 'isopropyl rubbing alcohol USP' contains approximately 70 percent by volume of pure isopropyl alcohol. The United States Pharmacopeia defined 'rubbing alcohol USP' contains approximately 70 percent by volume of denatured alcohol. In Ireland and the UK, the comparable preparation is surgical spirit B.P., which the British Pharmacopoeia defines as 95% methylated spirit, 2.5% castor oil, 2% diethyl phthalate, and 0.5% methyl salicylate. Under its alternative name of wintergreen oil, methyl salicylate is a common additive to North American rubbing alcohol products. Individual manufacturers can use their own "formulation standards" in which the ethanol content usually ranges from 70-99% v/v.
All rubbing alcohols are unsafe for human consumption: isopropyl rubbing alcohols do not contain the ethyl alcohol of alcoholic beverages; ethyl rubbing alcohols are based on denatured alcohol.
Usage examples of "rubbing alcohol".
He filled his arms with cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, gauze, washcloths, hydrogen peroxide and a tin of salve probably as old as his mother.
Corin had beaten her mother to death with a floor lamp, then poured rubbing alcohol on the woman's face and set it on fire.
They went inside, finding most of the equipment smashed and useless, but Warner kept searching until he discovered a box of tourniquets and a plastic bottle of rubbing alcohol.
Smoke marks mottled the broad four-inch blade, from Arky's having held it over a lit burner on his stove, but Arky had said to use rubbing alcohol, too, if possible.
Wash your hands with rubbing alcohol, open the pouch, and sew me up.
He got the rubbing alcohol from the bathroom and cleaned the wounds and put bandages on.
After swabbing his wife's arm with rubbing alcohol, he injected her with what Tess assumed was insulin, given the professor's earlier remarks about his wife's diabetes.
The second round shaved the side of his head, producing a bum-and-sting like rubbing alcohol poured into an open wound.
Mildred emptied shelves of aspirins, rubbing alcohol, bandages, antiseptic mouthwash and iodine, filling her med kit.
Wipe the device with rubbing alcohol and you're ready to blast off.