viomycin

noun

vio·​my·​cin ˌvī-ə-ˈmī-sᵊn 

: a polypeptide antibiotic C₂₅H₄₃N₁₃O₁₀ that is produced by several soil actinomycetes (genus Streptomyces) and is administered in the form of its sulfate in the treatment of tuberculosis

Word History

Etymology

vio(let) + -mycin; from the color of the soil organism

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

viomycin

noun

vi·​o·​my·​cin ˌvī-ə-ˈmīs-ᵊn 

: a basic polypeptide antibiotic that is produced by several soil actinomycetes of the genus Streptomyces (as S. puniceus) and is administered intramuscularly in the form of its sulfate C₂₅H₄₃N₁₃O₁₀·xH₂SO₄ in the treatment of tuberculosis especially in combination with other antituberculosis drugs