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penicillin

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penicillin

Main Entry:: pen·i·cil·lin
Pronunciation:: \ˌpe-nə-ˈsi-lən\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: New Latin Penicillium
Date:: 1929

1: any of several relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids of the general formula C₉H₁₁N₂O₄SR that are produced by molds (genus Penicillium and especially P. notatum or P. chrysogenum) or synthetically and are used especially against gram-positive cocci ; also : a mixture of such acids2: a salt or ester of a penicillin or a mixture of such salts or esters

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