From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishThalidomideTha‧lid‧o‧mide /θəˈlɪdəmaɪd/ noun [uncountable] trademarkMD a drug given to people to make them calm, until it was discovered that it harmed the development of the arms and legs of unborn babiesOrigin thalidomide (1900-2000) phthalic acid type of acid ((19-21 centuries)) (from naphtha) + imide type of chemical compound ((19-21 centuries)) (from French, from amide)
