phytohemagglutinin

noun

phy·​to·​he·​mag·​glu·​ti·​nin ˌfī-tō-ˌhē-mə-ˈglü-tə-nən How to pronounce phytohemagglutinin (audio)
: a proteinaceous hemagglutinin of plant origin used especially to induce mitosis (as in lymphocytes)

Examples of phytohemagglutinin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Teams competed at last year’s event, which raised over $250,000, correctly spelling such winning words as tuyere, saurischian, and phytohemagglutinin. Claire Law, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Feb. 2023 Symptoms of phytohemagglutinin poisoning are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, from mild to intense. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 9 June 2017 Some or most beans contain a toxin called a lectin or phytohemagglutinin (PHA); its highest concentration is in red kidney beans. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 9 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phytohemagglutinin.' 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

phyto- + hemagglutinin

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phytohemagglutinin was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near phytohemagglutinin

Cite this Entry

“Phytohemagglutinin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytohemagglutinin. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

phytohemagglutinin

noun
phy·​to·​hem·​ag·​glu·​ti·​nin
variants or chiefly British phytohaemagglutinin
: a proteinaceous hemagglutinin of plant origin used especially to induce mitosis (as in lymphocytes)
abbreviation PHA

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