ricin

American  

[rahy-sin, ris-in] / ˈraɪ sɪn, ˈrɪs ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, poisonous, protein powder from the bean of the castor-oil plant.

---

ricin British  

/ ˈrɪs-, ˈraɪsɪn /

noun

1. biochem a highly toxic protein, a lectin, derived from castor-oil seeds: used in experimental cancer therapy

---

ricin Scientific  

/ rī′sĭn,rĭs′ĭn /

1. An extremely poisonous protein extracted from the castor bean. Ricin inhibits protein synthesis in cells, and is used as a biochemical reagent and in cancer research.

---

Etymology

Origin of ricin

1895–1900; < New Latin Ricinus name of genus, Latin: castor-oil plant

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ricin

It was at this point, three months after the Southport attacks, that police made public for the first time that the ricin and manual had been found.

From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2025

Castor plants are banned in the U.S. because they also produce ricin, a dangerous poison.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024

Arsenic, ricin and the toxin responsible for botulism are also 100% natural, but can be highly toxic to humans.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2023

But it was unlikely that the chalk used to etch a polite message of protest outside her Bangor home on Saturday—urging her to vote for the Women’s Health Protection Act—was tainted with ricin.

From Slate ● May 14, 2022

Immunity of the same nature can be acquired in the same way against snake and scorpion poisons, and against certain vegetable toxins, e.g. ricin, abrin, &c.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various