streptomycin

English

Etymology

From translingual Streptomyces +‎ -in. By surface analysis, strepto- +‎ -mycin.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌstɹɛp.tə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪ.sɪn/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌstɹɛp.təˈmaɪ.sn̩/

Noun

streptomycin (uncountable)

1. (pharmacology) An aminoglycoside and bactericidal antibiotic C₂₁H₃₉N₇O₁₂ that is produced by a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces griseus), is active against many bacteria, and is administered via intramuscular injection especially in the treatment of infections by gram-negative bacteria. It was the first drug to be successful against tuberculosis but is now chiefly used with other drugs because of its toxic side effects.
   • 1953, Ian Fleming, “Dossier for M”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 17:

     In brief, Le Chiffre plans, we believe, to follow the example of most other desperate till-robbers and make good the deficit in his accounts by gambling. The 'Bourse' is too slow. So are the various illicit traffics in drugs, or rare medicines, such as aureo- and streptomycin and cortisone.

Derived terms

• -mycin (“antibiotic”)
• dihydrostreptomycin

Translations

Translations

• Interlingua: streptomycina
• Spanish: estreptomicina f

References

• “streptomycin”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “streptomycin”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.