phenylthiocarbamide

noun

phen·​yl·​thio·​car·​ba·​mide ˌfe-nᵊl-ˌthī-ō-ˈkär-bə-ˌmīd 

ˌfē-

: a crystalline compound C₇H₈N₂S that is extremely bitter or tasteless depending on the presence or absence of a single dominant gene in the taster

called also phenylthiourea, PTC

Examples of phenylthiocarbamide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cilantro isn’t the only thing that might taste a little weird to some people — genes also affect how people perceive the tastes of things like PTC — powdered phenylthiocarbamide, an inherently bitter substance — as well as milk and sweet or sugary foods. —Guest, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

phenylthiocarbamide

noun

phen·​yl·​thio·​car·​ba·​mide ˌfen-ᵊl-ˌthī-ō-ˈkär-bə-ˌmīd 

: a compound that is extremely bitter or tasteless depending on the presence or absence of a single dominant gene in the taster

called also PTC

Medical Definition

phenylthiocarbamide

noun

phen·​yl·​thio·​car·​ba·​mide ˌfen-ᵊl-ˌthī-ō-ˈkär-bə-ˌmīd 

: a crystalline compound C₇H₈N₂S that is extremely bitter or tasteless depending on the presence or absence of a single dominant gene in the taster

called also phenylthiourea, PTC