polyketide

noun

poly·​ke·​tide ˌpä-lē-ˈkē-ˌtīd How to pronounce polyketide (audio)
: any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced especially by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (such as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary poly- + keto- + -ide

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyketide was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near polyketide

Cite this Entry

“Polyketide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyketide. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

polyketide

noun
poly·​ke·​tide ˌpäl-ē-ˈkē-ˌtīd How to pronounce polyketide (audio)
: any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced especially by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects
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