bacitracin

English

Etymology

From translingual Baci(llus subtilis) +‎ Tracy +‎ -in. Named after American child Margaret Tracy (1936–1994), in whose leg infection the compound was first found.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌbæs.ɪˈtɹeɪ.sɪn/

Noun

bacitracin (countable and uncountable, plural bacitracins)

1. (pharmacology) A nonprescription polypeptide antibiotic isolated from a bacillus (Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus licheniformis), usually provided in topical ointment form especially against gram-positive bacteria.

References

• “bacitracin”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.