antimetabolite
[ an-tee-muh-tab-uh-lahyt, an-tahy- ]
/ ˌæn ti məˈtæb əˌlaɪt, ˌæn taɪ- /
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noun
Biochemistry. any substance that interferes with growth of an organism by competing with or substituting for an essential nutrient in an enzymatic process.
adjective
Pharmacology. of or relating to certain substances used to prevent or reduce the proliferation of cells, especially cancer cells, by interfering with normal metabolic activity.
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Also an·ti·met·a·bol·ic [an-tee-met-uh-bol-ik, an-tahy-]. /ˌæn tiˌmɛt əˈbɒl ɪk, ˌæn taɪ-/.
Origin of antimetabolite
First recorded in 1940–45; anti- + metabolite
Words nearby antimetabolite
antimasque, antimatter, antimension, antimere, antimeridian, antimetabolite, antimicrobial, antimilitant, antimissile, antimissile missile, antimitotic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for antimetabolite
antimetabolite
/ (ˌæntɪmɪˈtæbəˌlaɪt) /
noun
any drug that acts by disrupting the normal growth of a cell. Sulfonamide drugs are antimetabolites and some antimetabolites are used in cancer treatment
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for antimetabolite
antimetabolite
[ ăn′tē-mĭ-tăb′ə-līt′, ăn′tī- ]
n.
A substance that closely resembles an essential metabolite and competes with, interferes with, or replaces the metabolite in physiological reactions.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.