abrin

[ey-brin]

noun

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.

Origin of abrin

1880–85; < Abr(us precatorius), scientific name of the rosary pea + -in²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for abrin

Historical Examples of abrin

Abrin, or Abrine, a poisonous substance, being the active principle in the seeds of Abrus precatorius (see Abrus).
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1
Various