erythromycin

[ ih-rith-ruh-mahy-sin ]

noun

1. Pharmacology. an antibiotic, C 37 H 67 NO 13 , produced by an actinomycete, Streptomyces erythraeus, used chiefly in the treatment of diseases caused by many Gram-positive and some Gram-negative organisms.

erythromycin

/ ɪˌrɪθrəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. an antibiotic used in treating certain infections,sometimes as an alternative to penicillin. It is obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus. Formula: C 37 M 67 NO 13

erythromycin

/ ĭ-rĭth′rə-mī′sĭn /

1. An antibiotic obtained from the bacteria Streptomyces erythreus, effective against many gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria.

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythromycin¹

First recorded in 1950–55; erythro- + -mycin

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythromycin¹

C20: from erythro- + Greek mukēs fungus + -in

Related Words

• penicillin