indican

noun

in·​di·​can ˈin-də-ˌkan How to pronounce indican (audio)
1
: an indigo-forming substance C8H7NO4S found as a salt in urine and other animal fluids
also : its potassium salt C8H6KNO4S
2
: a glucoside C14H17NO6 occurring especially in the indigo plant and being a source of natural indigo

Word History

Etymology

Latin indicum indigo — more at indigo

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indican was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near indican

Cite this Entry

“Indican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indican. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

indican

noun
in·​di·​can ˈin-də-ˌkan How to pronounce indican (audio)
1
: an indigo-forming substance C8H7NO4S found as a salt in urine and other animal fluids
also : its potassium salt C8H6KNO4S
2
: a glucoside C14H17NO6 occurring especially in the indigo plant and being a source of natural indigo
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!