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ricin

American

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

noun

Chemistry.

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

ricin British

/ ˈraɪsɪn, ˈrɪs- /

noun

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

"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

ricin Scientific

/ rī′sĭn,rĭs′ĭn /

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

ricin

There is no known antidote for ricin poisoning.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024

He said that it is virtually impossible for someone to manufacture ricin at home in a way for it to be used as a lethal weapon.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 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

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023