gentamicin

[ jen-tuh-mahy-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a highly toxic broad-spectrum antibiotic mixture of related aminoglycoside substances derived from the actinomycete bacterium Micromonospora purpurea, used in its sulfate form in the treatment of severe Gram-negative infections.

gentamicin

/ ˌdʒɛntəˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of serious infections

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentamicin¹

First recorded in 1960–65; respelling of gentamycin, probably equivalent to gent(ian violet), so called from the color of the source bacterium + -a- (as in kanamycin ) + -mycin; gentian violet, -mycin

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentamicin¹

C20: from genta (of unknown origin) + -mycin