cantharidin
noun
can·thar·i·din
kan-ˈther-ə-dən 
-ˈtha-rə-
: a bitter crystalline compound C10H12O4 that is the active blister-producing ingredient of cantharides
Examples of cantharidin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
No antidote for the cantharidin in blister beetles exists.
—
Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2023
The semen of the American fire beetle Neopyrochroa flabellata, for example, is spiked with the poisonous compound cantharidin.
—Menno Schilthuizen, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2015
Male meloid beetles gift cantharidin to females, who in turn squirt it on their eggs to deter predators.
—Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2018
Liesch, who has been in his position for six years, said blister beetles produce cantharidin as a defense, and the chemical can cause irritation and blistering either on the skin or internally if it is ingested by a human or other animal.
—Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2020
Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2023
The semen of the American fire beetle Neopyrochroa flabellata, for example, is spiked with the poisonous compound cantharidin.
—Menno Schilthuizen, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2015
Male meloid beetles gift cantharidin to females, who in turn squirt it on their eggs to deter predators.
—Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2018
Liesch, who has been in his position for six years, said blister beetles produce cantharidin as a defense, and the chemical can cause irritation and blistering either on the skin or internally if it is ingested by a human or other animal.
—Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cantharidin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cantharidin
Cite this Entry
“Cantharidin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cantharidin. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
cantharidin
noun
can·thar·i·din
kan-ˈthar-əd-ən
: a bitter crystalline compound C10H12O4 that is the active blister-producing ingredient of cantharides
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share