Dose: Definition, Usage & Key Differences

Meaning 1：a measured amount of medicine (dose)

dose 🔊

/doʊs/

The measured amount of medicine you take at one time, like one pill or a spoonful of liquid.

Dose illustration: hand measuring liquid medicine from a bottle with a spoon

a measured amount of medicine 🔊

➕

/ə ˈmɛʒəd əˈmaʊnt əv ˈmɛdəsɪn/

The specific, measured quantity of a medication prescribed to be taken at one time.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'dosis' meaning 'a giving'.

💡 Mnemonic

A dose is the amount you get to get better. 'Dose' rhymes with 'close,' like closing the lid after taking the right dose.

📖 Example

The doctor said to take a dose of this liquid medicine every six hours until the fever goes down. 🔊 The doctor instructed that a measured amount of this liquid medicine should be taken every six hours until the fever subsides.

🔗 Collocations

a dose of medicine – A specific quantity of medication.

daily dose – The amount of medicine prescribed to be taken each day.

high dose – A large or potent amount of medication.

🔄 Synonyms

dosage (n.) – Often used interchangeably with 'dose,' but can also refer to the regimen of administering doses over time.

amount (n.) – A general term for quantity; less specific to medicine.

portion (n.) – A part or share of something, which can apply to medicine.

🚫 Antonyms

overdose (n.) – An excessive and dangerous dose of a drug.

abstinence (n.) – The act of refraining from taking something, such as medicine.

🌱 Derivatives

dose (v.) – To administer a measured quantity of medicine to someone.

dosage (n.) – The size or frequency of a dose of medicine; the regimen of dosing.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived via Latin 'dosis' from Greek 'didonai' (to give). Originally a general term for 'giving' or 'portion,' it became medicalized in the 16th century to specifically denote the measured administration of medicine.