spectrin

[ spek-trin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a rodlike structural protein of the red blood cell membrane.

spectrin

/ ˈspɛktrɪn /

noun

1. any one of a class of fibrous proteins found in the membranes of red blood cells, the brain, the intestine, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectrin¹

First recorded in 1968; spect(e)r + -in ²; ghost ( def 12 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectrin¹

C20: from spectr ( e ) + -in , referring to the ghosts (isolated cell membranes) of red blood cells, the source of the first known member of the class