Fleming

¹

[ flem-ing ]

noun

1. a native of Flanders.
2. a Flemish-speaking Belgian.

Fleming

²

[ flem-ing ]

noun

1. Sir Alexander, 1881–1955, Scottish bacteriologist and physician: discoverer of penicillin 1928; Nobel Prize in Medicine 1945.
2. Ian (Lancaster), 1908–64, British writer of suspense novels.
3. Peggy (Gale), born 1948, U.S. figure skater.

Fleming

¹

/ ˈflɛmɪŋ /

noun

1. FlemingSir Alexander18811955MScottishSCIENCE: bacteriologist Sir Alexander . 1881–1955, Scottish bacteriologist: discovered lysozyme (1922) and penicillin (1928): shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1945
2. FlemingIan (Lancaster)19081964MEnglishWRITING: author of spy novels Ian ( Lancaster ). 1908–64, English author of spy novels; creator of the secret agent James Bond
3. FlemingSir John Ambrose18491945MEnglishTECHNOLOGY: engineer Sir John Ambrose . 1849–1945, English electrical engineer: invented the thermionic valve (1904)
4. FlemingRenée1959FUSMUSIC: operatic soprano Renée . born 1959, US operatic soprano and songwriter

Fleming

²

/ ˈflɛmɪŋ /

noun

1. See Walloon
   a native or inhabitant of Flanders or a Flemish-speaking Belgian Compare Walloon

Fleming

¹

/ flĕm′ĭng /

1. Scottish bacteriologist who discovered penicillin in 1928. The drug was developed and purified 11 years later by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, with whom Fleming shared the 1945 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine. Fleming was also the first to administer typhoid vaccines to humans.

Fleming

²

1. British physicist and electrical engineer who devised the first electron tube in 1904. His invention was essential to the development of radio, television, and early computer circuitry. Fleming also helped develop electric devices designed for large-scale use, such as the electric lamp.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fleming¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle Dutch Vlaeminc, equivalent to Vlaem- ( Flemish ) + -ing -ing ³; late Old English Flæming perhaps < Old Frisian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fleming¹

C14: from Middle Dutch Vlaminc

Biography

Many famous scientific discoveries come about by accident, and such was the case with penicillin. The first and still best-known antibiotic, penicillin is a natural substance excreted by a type of mold of the genus Penicillium . It so happened that a Scottish bacteriologist, Alexander Fleming, was doing research on staphylococcal bacteria in the late 1920s and noticed that one culture had become contaminated with some mold. What was curious was that there was a circular area around the mold that was free of bacterial growth. After some investigation, Fleming discerned that the mold was excreting a substance deadly to the bacteria, and he named it penicillin in the mold's honor. Fleming had already discovered another natural antibacterial substance a few years earlier in 1921—lysozyme, an enzyme contained in tears and saliva. But the discovery of penicillin was of far greater importance, although its impact was not fully felt right away because Fleming lacked the equipment necessary to isolate the active compound and to synthesize it in quantities that could be used medicinally. This happened a dozen years later during World War II and stimulated the development of new drugs that could fight infections transmitted on the battlefield. Two other scientists, Ernst Chain and Howard Florey, were responsible for this further work, and together with Fleming the three shared the 1945 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine.

Example Sentences

Fleming, an award-winning children’s book author, discusses “Cubs in the Tub,” which is about Helen Martini who went from raising orphaned big cat cubs in her home in the 1940s to becoming the first female zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo.

From Washington Blade

Stephenson shoved Fleming through the store’s plate-glass window.

From Washington Post

Fleming appeared regularly on the radio during the general election to encourage her fellow migrants to get out and vote, and she’s stepped up her efforts considerably for the runoff.

From Ozy

In the effort to stitch together a winning coalition for Democrats, Fleming is leaning in with her needle.

From Ozy

That makes it hard for Fleming to connect with people from her country.

From Ozy

Yes, the original Bond, as imagined by Ian Fleming, was obviously white.

From The Daily Beast

In the first episode, you meet Raoul Walsh and Gloria Swanson and Victor Fleming, who directed The Wizard of Oz.

From The Daily Beast

Others such as Representative John Fleming, fought to keep the bill from passing.

From The Daily Beast

If Rep. John C. Fleming has anything to do with it, the answer will be a defiant “no.”

From The Daily Beast

Context: The comedian said this to his much-younger wife, Erin Fleming, before succumbing to pneumonia.

From The Daily Beast

Mr Maxwell had seen Mr Fleming stepping up the brae, and he knew well that no words of his could comfort him.

From Project Gutenberg

He had few words to say to Mrs Fleming, for she seemed inclined to slumber through the afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Look here, Mr. Fleming, if you stoop down just here, you will be able to see the little animal.

From Project Gutenberg

Professor Theobald had fallen behind with Joseph Fleming, who had turned up among the crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Fleming rose, and stood face to face with his enemy; but when he spoke it was to Mr Maxwell that he turned.

From Project Gutenberg