A chemical compound containing bromine, or figuratively, a trite saying or commonplace remark lacking originality.
From bromine (discovered in 1826 from Greek bromos meaning 'stench') plus the suffix -ide indicating a compound. The figurative meaning arose in the early 20th century because bromide salts were commonly used as sedatives, leading to the metaphorical sense of something that dulls or soothes through repetition.
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