/ ˈaɪədiːn; NAmE -daɪn/ noun
[ U ] ( symb I ) a chemical element. Iodine is a substance found in sea water. A liquid containing iodine is sometimes used as an antiseptic (= a substance used on wounds to prevent infection).
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WORD ORIGIN
early 19th cent.: from French iode (from Greek iōdēs violet-coloured, from ion violet + -eidēs like) + -ine .