cycasin

[sahy-kuh-sin]

noun

1. a naturally occurring toxic glucoside, C 8 H 16 N 2 O 7 , obtained from the seeds of cycad plants, carcinogenic in humans and other mammals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cycasin¹

Apparently cycas + -in ²

Example Sentences

A chemical in the plant’s leaves, cycasin, is a poison used by the butterfly for defense.

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