methotrexate

[ meth-oh-trek-seyt ]

/ ˌmɛθ oʊˈtrɛk seɪt /

noun Pharmacology.

a toxic folic acid analogue, C20H22N8O5, that inhibits cellular reproduction, used primarily in the treatment of psoriasis and certain cancers and as an immunosuppressive agent.

Nearby words

methodius, saint, methodize, methodology, methohexital, methoprene, methotrexate, methought, methoxide, methoxsalen, methoxy, methoxy group

Origin of methotrexate

1950–55; metho(xy)- + trexate, of unclear derivation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for methotrexate

methotrexate

/ (ˌmɛθəʊˈtrɛkseɪt, ˌmiːθəʊ-) /

noun

an antimetabolite drug used in the treatment of certain cancers. Formula: C 20 H 22 N 8 O 5

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

Science definitions for methotrexate

methotrexate

[ mĕth′ə-trĕk′sāt ]

A toxic drug that acts as a folic acid antagonist to interfere with cellular reproduction and is used in the treatment of psoriasis, certain cancers, and certain inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chemical formula: C20H22N8O5.