porphyropsin

noun

por·phy·rop·sin ˌpȯr-fə-ˈräp-sən

: a purple pigment in the retinal rods of freshwater fishes that resembles rhodopsin

Word History

Etymology

Greek porphyra purple + English -opsin (as in rhodopsin)

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of porphyropsin was in 1930

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Browse Nearby Words

porphyroid

porphyropsin

porphyrous

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Porphyropsin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porphyropsin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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Medical Definition

porphyropsin

noun

por·phy·rop·sin ˌpȯr-fə-ˈräp-sən

: a purple pigment in the retinal rods of freshwater fishes that resembles rhodopsin

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