polyketide

noun

poly·​ke·​tide ˌpä-lē-ˈkē-ˌtīd 

: any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced especially by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (such as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary poly- + keto- + -ide

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polyketide

noun

poly·​ke·​tide ˌpäl-ē-ˈkē-ˌtīd 

: any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced especially by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects