anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən 

: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Examples of anthocyanin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to magnesium, dark chocolate contains protective phytochemicals, such as flavonoid compounds like catechins and anthocyanins. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Polyphenols, including anthocyanins and flavonoids, are the phytonutrients thought to provide most of the antioxidant content of apples. —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024

Antioxidants like anthocyanins and vitamin C can protect your body against harmful molecules of free radicals by oxidizing them. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024

Other species, such as red maples and sweet gums, produce new pigments—red and purple anthocyanins—especially for the fall. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Anthocyanin, from Anthocyan, Anthokyan, an earlier name (from Greek antho- antho- + kyan-, in kyánōs "blue color") + -in -in entry 1 — more at cyan-

Note: Anthokyan was coined by the German pharmacist Ludwig Clamor Marquart (1804-81), in Die Farben der Blüthen (Bonn, 1835), p. 55: Anthokyan (von ἄνθος Blume, und κυάνωσις blaue Farbe) ist der färbende Stoff in der blauen, violetten und rothen und vermittelt ebenfalls die Farbe aller braunen und vieler pomeranzfarbigen Blumen ("Anthokyan [from ánthos flower, and kyánōsis blue color] is the coloring matter in blue, violet and red flowers, and imparts in any case color to all brown and many orange flowers"). A German form with the suffix -in and an English form with the suffix -ine were in use by the 1850's.

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən 

: any of various soluble pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Medical Definition

anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən 

variants also anthocyan

-ˈsī-ən, -ˌan 

: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants