lactam

[ lak-tam ]
/ ˈlæk tæm /

noun Chemistry.

any of a group of cyclic amides characterized by the NHCO group, derived from aminocarboxylic acids by the intramolecular elimination of water from the amino and carboxylic groups.

Origin of lactam

First recorded in 1880–85; lact(one) + am(ide)

Words nearby lactam

lacrosse, lact-, lactacidemia, lactacidosis, lactalbumin, lactam, lactarian, lactary, lactase, lactate, lactate 2

British Dictionary definitions for lactam

lactam
/ (ˈlæktæm) /

noun

chem any of a group of inner amides, derived from amino acids, having the characteristic group -CONH-

Word Origin for lactam

C20: from lact ( one) + am ( ide)

Medical definitions for lactam

lactam
[ lăk′tăm′ ]

n.

An amide formed from amino carboxylic acids containing a keto group in a ring configuration, as seen in purines, pyrimidines, and antibiotics. It is tautomeric to lactim.