LSD
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Lysergic acid diethylamide |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Military, Transportation & Travel |
LSD has three meanings. The most common are Lysergic acid diethylamide (drug) and Dock landing ship (naval ship); it can also stand for Limited-slip differential.
Meanings of LSD at a glance
| # | LSD stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lysergic acid diethylamide | Medical › Drug |
| 2 | Dock landing ship | Military › Naval Ship |
| 3 | Limited-slip differential | Transportation & Travel › Automotive |
1. Lysergic acid diethylamide
Medical · Drug Abbreviations
Potent hallucinogen active in doses of micrograms, producing altered perception and thinking for 8 to 12 hours. It is a Schedule I controlled substance in the US but is being studied for anxiety and other psychiatric conditions.
Example: Pt reports taking LSD at a festival 6 hours ago; anxious, tachycardic, no trauma.
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann first synthesized LSD in 1938 and discovered its effects in 1943 after accidentally absorbing a small amount. Physical toxicity is low, but risky behavior and panic reactions cause most harm. The common slang name is "acid". Microdosing tiny amounts became a popular trend, with limited evidence of benefit.
2. Dock landing ship
Military · Naval Ship Abbreviations
Older US amphibious ships designed mainly to carry and launch landing craft from a large well deck, such as the Whidbey Island and Harpers Ferry classes.
Example: The LSD launched three LCACs loaded with tanks for the beach landing.
These ships are being phased out in favor of San Antonio-class LPDs. The symbol is usually read as "landing ship dock." Outside naval use, LSD is the hallucinogenic drug lysergic acid diethylamide.
3. Limited-slip differential
Transportation & Travel · Automotive Abbreviations
Differential that limits the speed difference between two wheels on the same axle, sending torque to the wheel with grip when the other starts to spin. LSDs improve traction on performance cars and trucks, using clutches, gears or viscous fluid.
Example: The track package adds a mechanical LSD so the inside wheel stops spinning out of tight corners.
An ordinary "open" differential sends power to the wheel with the least resistance, which is why one wheel can spin helplessly on ice. Types include clutch-type, helical gear (Torsen) and viscous LSDs; electronic systems now imitate them by braking the slipping wheel. Context separates the term from the hallucinogenic drug that shares its initials.
Related abbreviations
More drug abbreviations
- LEV – Levetiracetam
- levo – Levophed (norepinephrine)
- LNG – Levonorgestrel
- LPV/r – Lopinavir/ritonavir
- LT4 – Levothyroxine
- LTG – Lamotrigine
- MDMA – 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
- MgO – Magnesium oxide
See all 170 drug abbreviations →
More naval ship abbreviations
- LCS – Littoral combat ship
- LHA – Amphibious assault ship (general purpose)
- LHD – Amphibious assault ship (multipurpose)
- LPD – Amphibious transport dock
- PT – Patrol torpedo boat
- SSBN – Ballistic missile submarine, nuclear-powered
- SSGN – Guided-missile submarine, nuclear-powered
- SSK – Diesel-electric attack submarine
See all 23 naval ship abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.