actinomycin

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​cin ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-ˈmī-sᵊn 

-tə-nō-;

ak-ˌti-nō-

: any of various red or yellow-red mostly toxic polypeptide antibiotics isolated from soil bacteria (especially Streptomyces antibioticus)

specifically : one used to inhibit DNA or RNA synthesis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Actinomyces actinomyces + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

actinomycin

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​cin -ˈmīs-ᵊn 

: any of various red or yellow-red mostly toxic polypeptide antibiotics isolated from soil bacteria (especially Streptomyces antibioticus)

specifically : one used to inhibit DNA or RNA synthesis