phytoalexin

[ fahy-toh-uh-lek-sin ]
/ ˌfaɪ toʊ əˈlɛk sɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

any of a class of plant compounds that accumulate at the site of invading microorganisms and confer resistance to disease.

Origin of phytoalexin

First recorded in 1945–50; phyto- + alexin

British Dictionary definitions for phytoalexin

phytoalexin
/ (ˌfaɪtəʊəˈlɛksɪn) /

noun

botany any of a group of substances produced by plants that inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi that infect them

Word Origin for phytoalexin

C20: from phyto- + Greek alexein to ward off