gossypol

noun

gos·​sy·​pol ˈgä-sə-ˌpȯl How to pronounce gossypol (audio)
-ˌpōl
: a toxic phenolic pigment C30H30O8 in cottonseed

Examples of gossypol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Some previous options for male birth control, like the herb gossypol, tested in the 1970s, effectively lowered sperm counts, but proved to permanently affect sperm production in some men. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2017 It was previously referred to in print as gossypol. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2018 But because of the gossypol, cottonseed itself hasn’t been a source of human food. Rachel Sugar, Vox, 19 Oct. 2018 Coutinho’s research into gossypol, which spanned more than three decades, was dismissed far more often than it was embraced. Kate Morgan, The Cut, 3 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, ultimately from Latin gossypion cotton

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gossypol was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near gossypol

Cite this Entry

“Gossypol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gossypol. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

gossypol

noun
gos·​sy·​pol ˈgäs-ə-ˌpȯl How to pronounce gossypol (audio) -ˌpōl How to pronounce gossypol (audio)
: a phenolic pigment C30H30O8 in cottonseed that is toxic to some animals

More from Merriam-Webster on gossypol

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!