abrin

noun

ˈābrən,
ˈa-,
-(ˌ)brin;
āˈbrin,
aˈb-
plural -s
: a toxic protein obtained from jequirity

Word History

Etymology

abr- (from New Latin Abrus, genus name of Abrus precatorius rosary pea, borrowed from Arabic abrūz, afrūz "rosary pea," earlier, a name for Amaranthus tricolor) + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abrin was in 1884

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Dictionary Entries Near abrin

Cite this Entry

“Abrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abrin. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

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