cyanogenic

adjective

cy·​a·​no·​gen·​ic ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈje-nik How to pronounce cyanogenic (audio)
sī-ˌa-nō-
variants or less commonly cyanogenetic
: capable of producing cyanide (such as hydrogen cyanide)
a cyanogenic glucoside
cyanogenesis noun

Examples of cyanogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But this question may arise because 3,000 years ago almonds were bitter and poisonous through the accumulation of deadly levels of cyanogenic diglucoside amygdalin, basically cyanide. Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023 And certain fruit seeds, such as apple seeds, fruit stones and peach pits, contain cyanogenic compounds. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2022 The toxic component of the hydrangea is called cyanogenic glycoside. Jennifer Nelson, Southern Living, 17 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cyanogenic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyanogenic was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near cyanogenic

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

cyanogenic

adjective
cy·​a·​no·​gen·​ic ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈjen-ik, sī-ˌan-ō- How to pronounce cyanogenic (audio)
variants also cyanogenetic
: capable of producing cyanide (as hydrogen cyanide)
cyanogenic glycosides
Cassava is cyanogenic, and varieties are recognized as being either bitter or sweet (i.e., containing high or low amounts of cyanide).Darna L. Dufour, Bioscience
cyanogenesis noun
plural cyanogeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce cyanogenic (audio)
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