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.

Origin of abrin

1
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. 2024