cyanogenic

adjective

cy·​a·​no·​gen·​ic ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈje-nik How to pronounce cyanogenic (audio)
sī-ˌa-nō-
variants or less commonly cyanogenetic
: capable of producing cyanide (such as hydrogen cyanide)
a cyanogenic glucoside
cyanogenesis noun

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyanogenic was in 1902

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Cite this Entry

“Cyanogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyanogenic. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

cyanogenic

adjective
cy·​a·​no·​gen·​ic ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈjen-ik, sī-ˌan-ō- How to pronounce cyanogenic (audio)
variants also cyanogenetic
: capable of producing cyanide (as hydrogen cyanide)
cyanogenic glycosides
Cassava is cyanogenic, and varieties are recognized as being either bitter or sweet (i.e., containing high or low amounts of cyanide).Darna L. Dufour, Bioscience
cyanogenesis noun
plural cyanogeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce cyanogenic (audio)
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