protamine

noun

prot·​amine ˈprō-tə-ˌmēn How to pronounce protamine (audio)
: any of various strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight that are rich in arginine and are found associated especially with DNA in place of histone in the sperm cells of various animals (such as fish)

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary prot- + amine

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protamine was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near protamine

Cite this Entry

“Protamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protamine. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

protamine

noun
prot·​amine ˈprōt-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce protamine (audio)
: any of various strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight that are rich in arginine and are found associated especially with DNA in place of histone in the sperm of various animals (as fish)

More from Merriam-Webster on protamine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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