penicillin

 
Pronunciation: /pɛnɪˈsɪlɪn/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1an antibiotic or group of antibiotics produced naturally by certain blue moulds, now usually prepared synthetically. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 and during the Second World War became the first antibiotic to be used by doctors: patients who are allergic to penicillin [count noun]: penicillins and cephalosporins
  • 2a blue mould of a type that produces penicillin.
    • Genus Penicillium, subdivision Deuteromycotina

Origin:

from the modern Latin genus name Penicillium (see penicillium) + -in1

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