peptide

pep·tide

noun \ˈpep-ˌtīd\

Definition of PEPTIDE

: any of various amides that are derived from two or more amino acids by combination of the amino group of one acid with the carboxyl group of another and are usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of proteins

— pep·tid·ic \pep-ˈti-dik\ adjective

Origin of PEPTIDE

International Scientific Vocabulary, from peptone

First Known Use: 1906

pep·tide

noun \ˈpep-ˌtīd\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PEPTIDE

: any of various amides that are derived from two or more amino acids by combination of the amino group of one acid with the carboxyl group of another and are usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of proteins

—pep·tid·ic \pep-ˈtid-ik\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

peptide

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Organic compound composed of a series of amino acids linked by peptide bonds (see covalent bond) between a carbon atom of one and a nitrogen atom of the next. Peptide chains longer than a few dozen amino acids are called proteins. Biosynthesis of peptides from a succession of amino acids carried by transfer RNA molecules takes place on ribosomes and is catalyzed and controlled by enzymes. Many hormones, antibiotics, and other compounds that participate in life processes are peptides.