exotoxin

noun

exo·​tox·​in ˌek-sō-ˈtäk-sən 

: a soluble poisonous substance produced during growth of a microorganism and released into the surrounding medium

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

exotoxin

noun

exo·​tox·​in ˌek-sō-ˈtäk-sən 

: a soluble poisonous substance produced during growth of a microorganism and released into the surrounding medium

tetanus exotoxin

compare endotoxin

exotoxic

-ˈtäk-sik 

adjective