indican

[ in-di-kuhn ]

noun

1. a glucoside, C 14 H 17 NO 6 , that occurs in plants yielding indigo and from which indigo is obtained.
2. Biochemistry. indoxyl potassium sulfate, C 8 H 6 NO 4 SK, a component of urine.

indican

/ ˈɪndɪkən /

noun

1. a compound secreted in the urine, usually in the form of its potassium salt; indoxylsulphuric acid. Formula: C 8 H 6 NOSO 2 OH

Word History and Origins

Origin of indican¹

1855–60; < Latin indic ( um ) indigo + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of indican¹

C19: from Latin indicum indigo + -an

Example Sentences

Simple constipation and diseases of the large intestine alone do not increase the amount of indican.

From Project Gutenberg

Indican is readily extracted from the leaves of various species of indigo plants.

From Project Gutenberg

The blue dye, indigo, is derived from a glucoside of an entirely different type, known as indican.

From Project Gutenberg

Potassium indoxyl sulphate, or indican, is derived from indol.

From Project Gutenberg

Intestinal obstruction gives the largest amounts of indican.

From Project Gutenberg