amygdalin

noun

amyg·​da·​lin ə-ˈmig-də-lən How to pronounce amygdalin (audio)
: a white crystalline cyanogenic glucoside C20H27NO11 found especially in the seeds of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond compare laetrile

Examples of amygdalin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Hydrangeas, which contain a chemical known as amygdalin, and carnations, which contain natural toxins, are two others that pets of all kinds should avoid. Daffodils and tulips, meanwhile, are also poisonous to some animals, TrustedHousesitters said, especially their bulbs. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Apricot seeds contain amygdalin which converts to cyanide, so eating them could lead to cyanide poisoning. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 31 July 2023 These almonds have a high content of amygdalin, and consuming this chemical may be highly toxic for humans. USA TODAY, 4 July 2023 Known to scientists as amygdalin, the toxin is a type of chemical compound called a cyanogenic glucoside. Jennifer Leman, Scientific American, 13 June 2019 This is not the first time Jason Vale has been accused of selling laetrile, another name for amygdalin. Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2019 According to geneticist and plant-breeder Thomas Gradziel of U.C. Davis, amygdalin is not all bad. Jennifer Leman, Scientific American, 13 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Latin amygdala

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amygdalin was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near amygdalin

Cite this Entry

“Amygdalin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdalin. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

amygdalin

noun
amyg·​da·​lin ə-ˈmig-də-lən How to pronounce amygdalin (audio)
: a white crystalline cyanogenic glucoside C20H27NO11 found especially in the seeds of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond

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