griseofulvin

[ griz-ee-oh-foo l-vin, -fuhl-, gris- ]
/ ˌgrɪz i oʊˈfʊl vɪn, -ˈfʌl-, ˌgrɪs- /

noun Pharmacology.

an antibiotic, C17H17ClO6, obtained from a species of Penicillium, used in the treatment of ringworm and other fungous infections of the skin.

Origin of griseofulvin

1935–40; < New Latin griseofulv(um) epithet of a species of Penicillium (equivalent to Medieval Latin grīse(us) griseous + New Latin -o- -o- + Latin fulvum, neuter of fulvus tawny, yellow-brown) + -in2

Words nearby griseofulvin

gris, gris-gris, gris-nez, grisaille, griselda, griseofulvin, griseous, grisette, grisham, grishun, griskin

British Dictionary definitions for griseofulvin

griseofulvin
/ (ˌɡrɪzɪəʊˈfʊlvɪn) /

noun

an antibiotic used to treat fungal infections

Word Origin for griseofulvin

C20: from New Latin, from Penicillium griseofulvum dierckx (fungus from which it was isolated), from Medieval Latin griseus grey + Latin fulvus reddish yellow

Medical definitions for griseofulvin

griseofulvin
[ grĭz′ē-ə-fŭl′vĭn ]

n.

An antibiotic administered orally for the treatment of ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails.