tha·lid·o·mide (thə-lĭd'ə-mīd')
n.
A sedative and hypnotic drug, C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄, withdrawn from general use after it was found to cause severe birth defects when taken during pregnancy. It is sometimes prescribed to treat leprosy.

[(PH)THAL(IC ACID) + (IM)ID(E) + (I)MIDE.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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