I
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Independent (party label) |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Government & Politics, Science & Engineering |
I has two meanings. It stands for Independent (party label) (political) or Iodine (chemical element).
Meanings of I at a glance
| # | I stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independent (party label) | Government & Politics › Political |
| 2 | Iodine | Science & Engineering › Chemical Element |
1. Independent (party label)
Government & Politics · Political Abbreviations
Label for a politician not affiliated with a political party, used after names in news copy and election results, as in "Sen. Angus King, I-Maine". Independents in Congress usually caucus with one of the two major parties to receive committee assignments.
Example: The tie was broken when Sen. Sanders, I-Vt., voted with the majority.
In the Senate, independents Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine caucus with Democrats. Some outlets use other letters for minor parties, such as "L" for Libertarian or "G" for Green. Voters registered without a party are called "unaffiliated", "no party preference" or "independent" depending on the state.
2. Iodine
Science & Engineering · Chemical Element Abbreviations
Iodine (atomic number 53) is a lustrous blue-black halogen that turns into violet vapor when warmed. The thyroid gland needs it to make hormones, so salt is iodized in many countries to prevent goiter and developmental problems. Iodine solutions disinfect skin and water, and iodinated compounds serve as X-ray contrast agents.
Example: Potassium iodide tablets are stockpiled near reactors to block thyroid uptake of radioactive I-131.
Bernard Courtois discovered iodine in 1811 while extracting saltpeter from seaweed ash for gunpowder, and Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac named it from Greek iodes (violet). The United States began selling iodized salt in 1924, following Switzerland's lead. Potassium iodide protects the thyroid only against radioactive iodine released in nuclear accidents, not against other forms of radiation.
Related abbreviations
More political abbreviations
- HASC – House Armed Services Committee
- HB – House Bill
- HFC – House Freedom Caucus
- HPSCI – House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- IG – Inspector General
- IRV – Instant-runoff voting
- JCT – Joint Committee on Taxation
- JFK – John F. Kennedy
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