penicillin

pen·i·cil·lin

noun \ˌpe-nə-ˈsi-lən\

Definition of PENICILLIN

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 acids

2

: a salt or ester of a penicillin or a mixture of such salts or esters

Origin of PENICILLIN

New Latin Penicillium

First Known Use: 1929

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism