abrin

[ ey-brin ]

noun

1. a highly poisonous protein found in the seeds of the rosary pea: inhibits protein synthesis, causing symptoms such as internal bleeding, intestinal upset, and irritation of mucous membranes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrin¹

1880–85; < Abr(us precatorius), scientific name of the rosary pea + -in ²( def )

Example Sentences

Abrin, or Abrine, a poisonous substance, being the active principle in the seeds of Abrus precatorius (see Abrus).

From Project Gutenberg