anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən How to pronounce anthocyanin (audio)
: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Examples of anthocyanin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition to magnesium, dark chocolate contains protective phytochemicals, such as flavonoid compounds like catechins and anthocyanins. Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Oct. 2024 Polyphenols, including anthocyanins and flavonoids, are the phytonutrients thought to provide most of the antioxidant content of apples. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024 Antioxidants like anthocyanins and vitamin C can protect your body against harmful molecules of free radicals by oxidizing them. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024 Other species, such as red maples and sweet gums, produce new pigments—red and purple anthocyanins—especially for the fall. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anthocyanin 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Anthocyanin, from Anthocyan, Anthokyan, an earlier name (from Greek antho- antho- + kyan-, in kyánōs "blue color") + -in -in entry 1 — more at cyan-

Note: Anthokyan was coined by the German pharmacist Ludwig Clamor Marquart (1804-81), in Die Farben der Blüthen (Bonn, 1835), p. 55: Anthokyan (von ἄνθος Blume, und κυάνωσις blaue Farbe) ist der färbende Stoff in der blauen, violetten und rothen und vermittelt ebenfalls die Farbe aller braunen und vieler pomeranzfarbigen Blumen ("Anthokyan [from ánthos flower, and kyánōsis blue color] is the coloring matter in blue, violet and red flowers, and imparts in any case color to all brown and many orange flowers"). A German form with the suffix -in and an English form with the suffix -ine were in use by the 1850's.

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthocyanin was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near anthocyanin

Cite this Entry

“Anthocyanin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthocyanin. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

anthocyanin

noun
an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən How to pronounce anthocyanin (audio)
: any of various soluble pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Medical Definition

anthocyanin

noun
an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən How to pronounce anthocyanin (audio)
variants also anthocyan
: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

More from Merriam-Webster on anthocyanin

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