spectrin

[ spek-trin ]

nounBiochemistry.
  1. a rodlike structural protein of the red blood cell membrane.

Origin of spectrin

1
First recorded in 1968; spect(e)r + -in2;cf. ghost (def. 12)

Words Nearby spectrin

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British Dictionary definitions for spectrin

spectrin

/ (ˈspɛktrɪn) /


noun
  1. any one of a class of fibrous proteins found in the membranes of red blood cells, the brain, the intestine, etc

Origin of spectrin

1
C20: from spectr (e) + -in, referring to the ghosts (isolated cell membranes) of red blood cells, the source of the first known member of the class

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