polymyxin

[ pol-ee-mik-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. any of various polypeptide antibiotics derived from Bacillus polymyxa.

polymyxin

/ ˌpɒlɪˈmɪksɪn /

noun

1. any of several polypeptide antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria, obtained from the soil bacterium Bacillus polymyxa

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymyxin¹

1945–50; < New Latin polymyx ( a ) specific epithet (< Greek poly- poly- + mýxa mucus, slime) + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymyxin¹

C20: from New Latin Bacillus polymyxa; see poly- , myxo- , -in