dose

dose Definition

dose (dōs)

noun

exact amount of a medicine or extent of some other treatment to be given or taken at one time or at stated intervals
amount of a punishment or other unpleasant experience undergone at one time
the amount of radiation delivered to a particular area or to a given part of the body
Slang a venereal infection, esp. gonorrhea

Etymology: ME < OFr < ML dosis < Gr, orig., a giving < IE base *do-, to give: see date

transitive verb dosed, dos′·ing

Etymology: < dosethe

intransitive verb

to take a dose or doses of medicine

dose Synonyms

The amount administered at one time
dosage, treatment, measurement, measure, fill, spoonful, portion, lot, draft, application, shot, lethal dose, toxic dose, doctor's orders*; see also prescription, share.
*Venereal disease
social disease, gonorrhea, the clap*; see disease.

dose Usage Examples

Preposition: of

mg: A dose of 0.5 mg is lethal for an adult.
vaccine: A full course of tetanus immunization consists of five doses of vaccine.
steroid: They contain a higher dose of steroid than your inhaler.
mg/kg: Patients were randomized 2:1 at each trial site to receive Fabrazyme at a dose of 1 mg/kg every two weeks or a placebo.
aspirin: A low dose of aspirin is often prescribed, which helps to stop blood clots from forming.
morphine: When her diaper is changed and her blisters are lanced and dressed she requires a dose of morphine.

Converse of object

administer: The question is whether there would be any obstacles to administering an adequate dose.

Adjective modifier

recommended: However, exceeding the recommended doses can cause side effects.
lethal: A nurse was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after breaking into a hospital computer and altering a patient's prescription to a lethal dose.
daily: You should try to take your daily dose at about the same time each day.
oral: Reduced sperm function was noted in male rats at high oral doses.

Modifies a noun

escalation: In many cases, however, at least 8 weeks of treatment was required for a response, even with periodic dose escalations.
aspirin: Low dose aspirin is also used to help prevent blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
titration: Check patients blood pressure, temperature and pulse regularly during dose titration.
inhaler: BTS guidelines for asthma recommend patients be given a DPI if they are unable to use metered dose inhalers ( MDI ).
nevirapine: The infants were randomized to receive single dose nevirapine or single dose nevirapine plus one week AZT.

Noun used with modifier

radiation: A person can receive a greater radiation dose on a plane flight to Spain then from an x-ray of the wrist or shoulder.
booster: A booster dose is required every two to three years depending upon risk of exposure.
mg: Her husband returned to 400 mg dose of 100 mg kg for rabbits.
insulin: To achieve this good control, you may need extra insulin injections and your overall insulin dose will increase.

dose Quotes

Whipping and abuse are like laudanum; you have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.

—Stowe, Harriet (Elizabeth) ne¤ e Beecher

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