phytoalexin

[ fahy-toh-uh-lek-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of plant compounds that accumulate at the site of invading microorganisms and confer resistance to disease.

phytoalexin

/ ˌfaɪtəʊəˈlɛksɪn /

noun

1. botany any of a group of substances produced by plants that inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi that infect them

Word History and Origins

Origin of phytoalexin¹

First recorded in 1945–50; phyto- + alexin

Word History and Origins

Origin of phytoalexin¹

C20: from phyto- + Greek alexein to ward off