alexin

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

alexin (plural alexins)

1. (biochemistry, dated) A protective substance that exists in the serum or other bodily fluid and is capable of killing microorganisms; complement.
   • 1929, Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel, New York: Scribner, Part One, Chapter 1, p. 3,^[1]

     The seed of our destruction will blossom in the desert, the alexin of our cure grows by a mountain rock […]

Translations

protective substance that exists in the serum

• Portuguese: alexina f
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

Anagrams

• exinal, xenial