racemic

adjective

ra·​ce·​mic rā-ˈsē-mik How to pronounce racemic (audio)
rə-
: of, relating to, or constituting a compound or mixture that is composed of equal amounts of dextrorotatory and levorotatory forms of the same compound and is not optically active

Examples of racemic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The researchers on the new study say that infusions of racemic ketamine (which uses two forms of ketamine molecules, in contrast with esketamine's single form) are cheaper than esketamine and could result in savings if they were covered by insurance. Katherine Dillinger and Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 She’s opted for intravenous racemic ketamine ever since, but her insurance refuses to cover it. Raleigh McElvery, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2022 Physicians have been prescribing racemic ketamine off-label to patients with depression for at years. Raleigh McElvery, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2022

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

racemic acid, a compound with such a structure obtained from grape juice, ultimately from Latin racemus

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of racemic was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near racemic

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

racemic

adjective
ra·​ce·​mic rā-ˈsē-mik, rə- How to pronounce racemic (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting a compound or mixture that is composed of equal amounts of dextrorotatory and levorotatory forms of the same compound and is optically inactive compare dl-

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