calculolytic
|cal-cu-lo-ly-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌkæl.kjəˈlɒl.ɪtɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌkæl.kjʊəˈlɒl.ɪtɪk/
dissolving stones
Etymology
'calculolytic' originates from a combination of Latin and Greek: Latin 'calculus' (meaning 'small stone, pebble') and Greek-derived suffix '-lytic' from 'lytikos' (meaning 'able to loosen or dissolve').
'calculolytic' is a Modern English formation formed by joining the Latin stem 'calcul-' (from 'calculus') with the Greek-derived English suffix '-lytic' (from 'lysis'/'lytikos'), producing a term used in medical and chemical contexts to denote stone-dissolving properties or agents.
Initially formed to denote 'relating to the dissolution of calculi (stones)', the term has retained this specialized meaning in medical and chemical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent or substance that dissolves calculi (a stone-dissolving agent).
Clinicians considered using a calculolytic to reduce the size of the gallstone before surgery.
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Antonyms
Adjective 1
having the property of dissolving calculi (stones), especially biological stones such as kidney or gallstones.
The study tested several calculolytic compounds for their ability to dissolve kidney stones in vitro.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/02 20:31