bacteriopurpurin

noun

bac·​te·​rio·​purpurin

bak¦tirē(ˌ)ō +

: a red coloring matter present in some bacteria that has the power of reducing highly oxidized compounds by absorption of certain rays of light

broadly : any of several bacterial photosynthetic pigments

Word History

Etymology

bacteri- + purpurin

First Known Use

circa 1887, in the meaning defined above

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