novobiocin

noun

no·​vo·​bi·​o·​cin ˌnō-və-ˈbī-ə-sən 

: a weak dibasic acid C₃₁H₃₆N₂O₁₁ that is highly toxic to humans and is sometimes used as an antimicrobial drug in some serious cases of staphylococcic and urinary tract infection

Word History

Etymology

novo- (perhaps modification of Latin niveus snowy, specific epithet of the bacterium Streptomyces niveus) + bi- + -mycin

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

novobiocin

noun

no·​vo·​bi·​o·​cin ˌnō-və-ˈbī-ə-sən 

: a highly toxic antibiotic that is a weak dibasic acid C₃₁H₃₆N₂O₁₁ and is used in some serious cases of staphylococcal and urinary tract infection